PESHAWAR, April 21: Cantonment Board authorities have turned a portion of a British-era public park into a car parking lot on the directives of the Corps Headquarters, Peshawar.

An official said the board had received directives from the Corps Headquarters to shift the car parking plot at the main entrance of the park opposite the Corps Headquarters to the premises of the Khalid bin Waleed Park, also known as Company Bagh.

The portion of the park earmarked for the parking area was used as a playing area for children, depriving them of a public recreational spot.

The parking lot outside the main entrance of the park, opposite the Corps Headquarters, was considered a security threat and the authorities suspected it could be used for sabotage activities.

“Military authorities suspect subversive acts and issued directives to shift the car parking from the existing site. We are subordinates and have to obey their orders,” an official said.

Interestingly, the car park was at a distance of few meters from the main entry gates of the Corps Headquarters. The army has already properly fortified the cantonment area, particularly the roads leading towards the Corps Headquarters by constructing barricades at entry points to stop unauthorised vehicles.

Despite extensive security arrangements and checkpoints, the car parking lot was shifted to the playing portion of the small park, which is the only recreation place for residents of the cantonment area, particularly children.

There is already a dearth of public recreational spots in the provincial metropolis, especially in the city and cantonment areas.

The city’s historic Wazir Bagh, Shahi Bagh and Jinnah Park have lost attraction due to rapid and ill-planned urbanisation.