HYDERABAD, Dec 5: Historic Rani Bagh will be the venue of a marriage ceremony of Syed Qasim Naveed, son of Privatisation Minister Syed Naveed Qamar Zaman Shah. The garden was reopened to public only last month after refurbishment at a cost of Rs150 million by the district government.

Preparation for the grand occasion which would be graced by VVIPs including Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, a battery of federal and provincial ministers, Sindh chief minister and governors, parliamentarians, politicians and other elites, are under way at the Abbas Bhai park – a part of historic Rani Bagh – after it was handed over to Taluka Municipal Administration (TMA) Qasimabad.

Incidentally, the marriage of privatisation minister Mr. Qamar was also solemnised at the same venue.

Colourful marquees on an area of 90x90 and 120x120 foot lawn have been erected with the help of thick bamboos in the middle of the lawns by workers of a Karachi-based caterer.

The grass that has not yet fully grown in the lawns as Rani Bagh’s inauguration was performed to open it before Eidul Azha will be spoilt.

With movement of so many people and fixing of tables, chairs, sofas, it will be badly affected.

Other suitable places like Hyderabad Club and police ground exist in the city to host big ceremonies but why Rani Bagh was selected by the minister for hosting the marriage is anybody’s guess .

Food is to be cooked in the premises of Abbas Bhai park which will have two sides’ entry for the guests, one from local circuit house side and the other from Qasimabad side. Around 4000 guests are likely to attend the ceremony.

The marriage was announced by the family while Rani Bagh was under-going development work.

Since November 22 Rani Bagh has become focus of attention for families, children and visitors who were visiting it from all parts of the district daily and enjoying the environment there.

Its zoo has been given a new look with the availability of imported animals.

Officials of TMA Qasimabad are not ready to come on record and say something. “They didn’t ask us and printed the cards for the occasion. Now the prime minister is coming so what can we do”, said an aide of taluka nazim.

It was learnt that a PPP-backed UC nazim is reported to have opposed to the idea of allowing the marriage ceremony in Rani Bagh but in vain.

“I did raise my voice on the matter but nobody listened ”, he said.

The silence being maintained by the TMA is reflective of the fact that use of venue for the marriage is sanctioned by it. Since a precedent will be set on Sunday, other important people will aspire for Abbas Bhai park as venue for marriages of their family members.

The key of Rani Bagh was handed over to TMA Qasimabad taluka nazim Noor Mohammad Shoro by the Governor of Sindh on November 22 at a ceremony. Neither taluka nazim nor taluka municipal officer (TMO) Qasimabad, Dr Irshad Shah are available to confirm whether any permission (for meeting formalities) was obtained from TMA.

As far as taluka nazim is concerned, he is perhaps the only nazim of Sindh province who hardly turns-up in his office. This correspondent tried to see him in his office ever since holding of 2001 local bodies elections when first round of local bodies polls were held but in vain.

“The marriage is not being held in Rani Bagh. Its being held in Abbas Bhai Park which has been separately inaugurated. And then there is no ban in holding of marriages there.

If TMA decides to ban holding of such gatherings it will be strictly enforced”, said

DCO Hyderabad Ali Ahmed Loond in response to a query by Dawn.

Revenue officials were also seen visiting the venue to finalise arrangements for the marriage ceremony. However, the DCO said he had nothing to do with the matter.

“We are only concerned with the movement and arrival of VVIPs including prime minister and federal ministers for protocol and security purposes”, he said.