PESHAWAR, April 4: Jinnah Park, opposite the historic Balahisar Fort, the only green plot in the heart of the city, has been handed over to a private party to set up stalls for an industrial exhibition. 

Industrial exhibitions, being held in connection with the centenary celebrations of the establishment of the NWFP, seem to have become a permanent feature here.

Since the city district government came to power, the exhibition culture has gained momentum.

At present, one exhibition is going on at the Nishter Hall, one will begin at Karnal Sher Khan Stadium and an industrial exhibition will open at the Jinah Park on Sunday.

The same variety, ranging from household items to garments, shoes, plastic items and some other products, is being presented in the exhibitions.

The food available at the stalls is mostly substandard and unhygienic.

Civil society groups have lodged complaints and asked the government to ban such exhibitions and festivals but the administration has not taken any action in this regard.

The park was renovated four years back. Before that, political parties held public meetings there, but the city government banned such meetings to preserve its beauty.

The administration has handed over the venue to a Lahore-based party to establish stalls for the exhibition. The contractor is charging Rs5 as entry fee. Organizers say that over 100 stalls are being set up and they would charge Rs12,000 per cabin.