THIS is apropos of the report, 'Government urged to allow park on railway land” (May 2), wherein it has been disclosed that the Sukkur taluka council has, in a unanimous resolution, decided to establish a park on the plot of the old goods godown, measuring 10,000 square yards, located on the prime area of the city. This plot was in use of the railways decades ago but is now in ruins.

The Pakistan Railways has, on the other hand, published an advertisement to lease out this prime land to the builders' mafia on 33 years' lease to construct a multi-storey project of flats.

Civil society of Sukkur has rightly agitated about this lease which even otherwise is illegal because the land pertains to the Sindh government and not to the PR to whom it was given for a specific purpose with the explicit condition that it will not be sub-leased by the lessee, the PR.

Unfortunately for Sukkur, the third biggest city of the province, and its twin Rohri (opposite side on the Indus), there are no notable open spaces available to cater for the entertainment of more than 0.5 million of its residents. The only park available of some mention is 'Lucus Park.

Though located in the centre of the city, almost half of this park is already occupied by the press club and some commercial concern. I, therefore, agree with the suggestion that the old godown, in view of the fact that the plot is no more in the use of the railways, should be converted into a recreational area comprising a park and a playground.

The Sindh government should intervene and take over possession of the old godown's plot from the railways and order its conversion into a park as decided by civil society.

ISHA M. KURESHI

Karachi