On June 18, 2012, Khalid bin Waleed Park, in P.E.C.H.S. Block 2 and 3, was deprived of fruiting trees. Minister for Sports Dr. Mohammad Ali Shah was directly responsible for this as he had ordered the construction of a hockey ground and institute on the specified area. He was misled to believe that the park, was in actual, a hockey ground whereas it is a specified park site according the Master plan. Moreover, this area was marked to be used as a commercial site for hockey institute disallowing free public access to the ground.

Shehri-CBE got active immediately and Mrs. Amber Alibhai, General Secretary Shehri-CBE, filed an application against Karachi Municipal Corporation and the contractors to reverse the illegal conversion of land use. Later on, the High Court of Sindh passed an order to convert this application into a constitutional petition (C.P. No. D-2273/2012, dated June 19, 2012).

Shehri-CBE continued to fight the case until the final order was passed by the Honorable High Court of Sindh stating, “Since admittedly the venue in question, is from inception, a public park… KMC categorically submits that there is absolutely no plan of converting the nature of the public park…” and, “KMC to honor the above statement/undertaking and not to attempt to change the inherent character/status of the above venue and any work ever initiated shall be for the development, uplift and improvement of the venue…. We may reiterate that the original status/character of the venue i.e. public park/hockey ground shall not be tampered with and no construction shall be raised…”

Shehri’s endeavor resulted in a court order in 2012 that promised access of the local area residents to the public park and the trees in the area were marked ‘protected’ and an explanation was to be submitted before the court if any tree was cut down unnecessarily.

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Fast forward to 2016, the park exhibits a hockey ground and a library. The boundary wall has a few trees remaining along with a scarce canopy cover on the inside. No new trees have been planted to compensate the loss of those butchered earlier and the lawn is devoid of any plants. Outside the iron fence, trash surrounds the entire park instead of trees, plants and flowers. However the inside, is quite clean. The park needs a plantation drive to restore its former beauty and existence as a haven for humans and animals.

Google Map Image of Khalid bin Waleed Park