KARACHI, Feb 21: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has asked the city government to ensure protection of the plots earmarked for parks from encroachers and pay special attention be the rehabilitation of the existing parks and developing new parks keeping in view the environmental aspect.

Presiding over a meeting at the Governor’s House, he said time had come that a comprehensive and coordinated planning was given a practical shape to make Karachi beautiful in all terms.

He observed that the dearth of parks in Karachi was subsiding gradually and now attention would have to be paid to their elevation.

The governor directed the city government to retrieve all pieces of land that had been earmarked for parks but encroached up. No pressure whatsoever be accepted, he stressed.He said owners of the flats constructed along major thoroughfares be told not to change the facade of their flats and those who has already done so be bound down through respective associations to restore their originality.

Dr Ibad pointed out that unless people themselves strived individually and collectively for the beautification of this city, the government’s desire in this regard could not bear fruit.

At present, he observed, the government was making efforts more than its resources to restore that beauty that the city deserves most.

He appreciated City Nazim Mustafa Kamal’s efforts in this regard, and said he was working day and night for beautifying the city.

He called for maintaining a strict vigil on the ongoing constructions in the city, and said no construction in violation of the approved plan be allowed. “The ‘Qabza Mafia’ be checked before it acts,” he asserted.

The governor said that incompetent official be identified and of punitive action be taken against them also against those who were at their back.

“The province is heading towards a peaceful process and people of Karachi want their city to emerge as a beautiful metropolis. They appreciate every step taken in this regard.” He said full advantage be taken of this spirit and Karachiites should be carried along as this would help discourage the unscrupulous elements.

The meeting was attended by City Nazim Mustafa Kamal, Additional Advocate General Kazi Khalid Ali, Secretary Cooperation Mumtazur Rehman, DCO Fazlur Rehman and other senior officials.—APP