ISLAMABAD, Nov 18: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to develop Fatima Jinnah Park on modern lines through the private sector.
Presiding over a meeting on Tuesday, CDA Chairman Kamran Lashari directed the officials concerned to implement the master plan of the park and complete all proposed projects in the park.
He directed the CDA to contact foreign missions and donors for inviting investors to develop the park, commonly known as F-9 Park.
Mr Lashari also desired to invite local firms for running different projects in the park. He said the firms should be asked for pre-qualification.
He said a memorial plaza, landmark tower, recreational area, sports area, new sports woodland, woodland zone, water zone, children’s play area, amusement and play zone, area of cuisine, and theme park would be developed in the park.
The meting was informed that in 1970 the environment wing of the CDA had made an attempt to design the park in detail.
The CDA board had conducted a national design competition to get the best pattern, but results of the competition could not meet the required standards.
Ultimately, it was decided that the design prepared in 1970 by the CDA landscaping unit would be adopted.
In the light of the plan, the government had directed the CDA to improve the park in collaboration with the private sector.
The CDA had planned to establish international theme gardens under which gardens of the US, Africa, Europe, Pakistan, Eurasia, Middle East and Japan would be established in the capital, a source told Dawn.
The source said a site had been proposed in F-9 Park for a Pakistani model village in which Karachi site, Moenjodaro site, Quetta site, Peshawar site, Multan site, Taxila site, Islamabad site, Lahore site and Hunza site would be developed.
The source said children’s science centre, traffic park, cycling centre, jogging track, jurassic park would also be established in the park.
He said an art museum would be created for national art museum, outdoor museum and art of special persons would be displayed.
The CDA chairman also directed the officials to upgrade all parks on the pattern of famous parks in Lahore.
GRAVEYARDS: CDA Chairman Kamran Lashari has expressed dissatisfaction over the conditions of H-8 (old) and H-11 (new) graveyards.
During a visit to the graveyards, he issued directives for their improvement and proper maintenance. He also directed the officials concerned to develop the graveyards on the pattern of those in the developed countries.
He ordered construction of footpaths, plantation of shaded trees in columns and proper maintenance of graves in the H-8 graveyard.
He expressed dissatisfaction over substandard construction work in the new graveyard at sector I-11 area.
The condition of H-8 graveyard has deteriorated due to negligence of the CDA, a source in the authority said.
“Once the graveyard was considered to be one of the most planned cemeteries of the country but the authority has failed to maintain it,” some of the visitors complained.