KARACHI: Controversy over the provincial government`s decision to hand over Bagh Ibne Qasim, the city`s iconic park, to real estate tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain of Bahria Town deepened on Saturday when the matter was taken to the Sindh High Court.

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, through its leader Imran Ismail, moved the high court against the provincial government`s decision to hand overthe park to the realestate tycoon. He filed the constitutional petition seeking court directives to the provincial authorities to withdraw the notification with regard to the park deal with a private property developer. The chief secretary,local government secretary, Karachi mayor, municipal commissioner,Board of Revenue and Bahria Town were cited as respondents.

The PTIleadersaidthatthe Bagh, spread over 130 acres, was frequented by over 10 million people each year.

`The facility`s turtle pond, greenery, beauty, murals of dinosaurs, and its attachment with the heritage site, Jehangir Kothari Parade built on a piece of land donated by Seth Jahangir Hormusji Kothari to the city, attracted a large number of visitors,` he added.

The petitioner stated in his petition that the provincial government issued a notification on March 30, handing the park over to Bahria Town for 10 years for its beautification. He said the decision was taken to save public funds, but rather it would prove futile and pave the way for encroachments upon the invaluable property.Mr Ismail said that the park might be used for commercial purposes as it was in close proximity to the Bahria Icon Tower Project, a 60-storey structure. He said that there were also reports that a piece of park would be used by the firm for its commercial activities.

`The provincial authorities disregarded the legal procedure before striking any deal with the firm as it did not invite any offers, bids or expressionofinterest.Therefore,the notification and agreement in respect of the park was arbitrary, illegal and null in the eyes of law and liable to be annulled,` the PTI leader said.

The petitioner prayed to the court to declare the provincial government`s agreement with the firm as illegal and direct the authorities to withdraw the notification in this regard.