Islamabad, June 20, 2025: The Supreme Court has put a stop. to most new buildings inside a park. in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA). Only a jogging track is now allowed there. The court stated that people must not. lose access to the park’s benefits. A small fee can be charged. This fee should only cover maintenance costs.
A two-judge Supreme Court bench. heard a case against a Sindh High Court order. The hearing took place at the SC’s Karachi Registry. The court also agreed to move the case. to the main court in Islamabad. This needs the Chief Justice’s approval. Lawyers for the other side requested this. They said their interests were at risk.
The case was brought by the managing committee. of Masjid-i-Saheem and nearby residents. They went to the Supreme Court. challenging an SHC order from March 11. They argued that a “public park”. was being used for business gain. Every person entering would be charged. The petitioners’ lawyer claimed this.
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They also said the purpose of the park. could not be changed. This would stop the public. from using it only as a park. The lawyer emphasized public interest. even though earlier courts questioned. their right to file the case.
Lawyers for the other side, including DHA. and Optimum Sports, argued differently. They said public entry was not blocked. But there would be a fee. for using the jogging track. They also said they were building. a jogging track now. Padel courts and other buildings were also planned for the future.
The Supreme Court ruled that apart. from the jogging track, no other building. should be put up until the next hearing. The court ensured common people. would not be denied the park’s use. They must pay only a small fee. for its upkeep.
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The case will now be heard. in Islamabad after summer holidays. The petitioners had argued that the park. It was next to their mosque. Its entrance connected to the mosque. They said the private firm. Optimum Sports began changing the mosque gate. and parking area. This happened after a secret agreement. between the firm, DHA, and CBC. The contract lacked open bidding. It affected access for worshippers, who used the parking for over 30 years.
Petitioners claimed the High Court order. was legally flawed. They argued that government bodies. must act fairly and openly. They said the High Court has power. to review such actions for fairness.
