I AM astonished by the fact that for some inexplicable reason, Sheba Park located in Y block, Phase 3 in DHA, Lahore remains closed from 9 in the morning till 4 in the afternoon.

Clearly, this is a duration when local residents could use the park for exercising outdoors and walking — all part of healthy lifestyle habits.

However, the fast food franchise overlooking the park — which is reportedly responsible for its upkeep — remains open 24 hours a day. And then, we worry about the increasing incidence of obesity and related ailments, particularly among our children.

Will the civic authorities please explain the reasoning behind closing a park, when, in fact, healthy living and eating should be encouraged among the general population?

Asad Siddiqi

Lahore

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2018