LAHORE, Dec 2: The historic ground of the Islampura’s Chishtia High School has been grabbed for parking vehicles of the Punjab Civil Secretariat officials and visitors.

The people have been deprived of the ground at a time when several structures, including offices and residential quarters in the Civil Secretariat have been demolished on the directions of Chief Secretary Javaid Mehmood to create open spaces and green patches.

The authorities in the Civil Secretariat notified on Tuesday the usage of the playground, where youngsters play games in the afternoon and on holidays. The ground was, however, mentioned Baba Ground in an official circular elaborating parking arrangements for ministers, MNAs, MPAs, secretariat officials and visitors.

Interestingly, top bureaucracy and ministers, MNAs and MPAs, were allowed parking in the main Civil Secretariat.

According to sources and area people, the ground which is adjacent to the Punjab Government Printing Press, was established before the creation of Pakistan.The ground has been a major city venue of day and night cricket matches for decades. It has also produced many a promising players belonging to its Mozang Link Club and Young Santnagar Club.

In addition, the ground has also been used as a community centre for the residents of congested (Krishanagar) Islampura where they arrange weddings and other functions.

Officials in the secretariat claimed that the parking would not affect any public activity, and people would still be able to play there or hold their functions.

But, the circular belied this claim. According to it all official and personal vehicles of the officers of the rank of deputy secretaries and below will be parked in the Baba Ground.

All private vehicles containing secretariat stickers, all official vehicles of the officers requiring to attend meeting, and the secretariat buses will also be parked at the Baba Ground.

An angry youngster said how could one play or organise functions in the ground when it would remain filled with vehicles through the day and buses at night.

The chief minister should look into the matter and save the historic ground from the secretariat authorities, the youngster said.

According to the circular, official vehicles of ministers, advisers, special assistants to the chief minister, MNAs and MPAs will be parked in front of the main committee room in the secretariat.

The official vehicles of secretaries, special secretaries and additional secretaries will be parked in the parking lot developed recently at the rear of the chief secretary’s block by demolishing a number of offices and over 40 residential quarters of government employees.

All private vehicles having no permission stickers will be parked near the Zila Council Building outside the Baba Ground.