Project developers reinforce the need for “community ownership” for the park’s maintenance and success
The Queen’s Park in Sultanabad has been reconstructed for the third time by the Competitive and Liveable City of Karachi (CLICK), a project funded by the World Bank in collaboration with the Government of Sindh.
The World Bank has allocated around Rs 58 million. in funds for this park located near Ziauddin Hospital Clifton.
“Although it is [provincial] the government’s duty to provide facilities such as parks and playgrounds, their maintenance and continued benefits [from them] depend on community cooperation and the involvement of local representatives,” Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah emphasized at the inauguration ceremony on Thursday. “True ownership of development projects can only come through cooperation between elected officials, city administrations and citizens.”
Echoing the sentiment, CLICK project director Ayesha Hameed said Express Pakinomist, “Parks built without meaningful input from local residents are not owned of the community. Therefore, there is little local monitoring or care once the contractor leaves.”
However, she pointed to a larger structural problem within the local bodies, noting that such projects often disintegrate and are neglected after inauguration as it remains unclear whether it is the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation or the Town Municipal Corporation, union council or another government body that is responsible for its maintenance. Their ownership remains a “grey area,” she noted.
“Each park upgraded under CLICK now includes a formal handover to the respective city. A management allowance is delineated in the local council budget,” Hameed said, elaborating on measures taken by CLICK’s to prevent deterioration of parks.
“During the fault liability period (DLP), responsibility for maintenance, including horticultural care, irrigation and maintenance of fixtures, will lie with the contractor to ensure that all works remain in a safe condition. In addition to DLP, the respective city municipal corporations have been asked to assume full responsibility for operation and maintenance.”
“Furthermore, the TMCs have been encouraged to establish Park Management Committees comprising local residents, community representatives and municipal staff to oversee maintenance, strengthen community ownership and ensure long-term sustainability of these public assets,” Hameed added.
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The park includes a walking path, newly planted grass and a children’s playground. There is also a ramp for wheelchair users or the disabled. Separate bathrooms for men and women are provided.
“Shade trees and other native flora have been planted in Queen’s Park. While they are still young at this stage, the landscape plan ensures that as they mature they will provide sufficient shade and improve the park’s microclimate,” Hameed said Express Pakinomist.
The park was built with an effort to be inclusive for all genders. “There is a separate gate at the back of the park which was added designed specifically to accommodate women. A guard will be permanently stationed here,” said Aisha Mughal, social development specialist at CLICK. “There are also specific times on certain days when only women are allowed in the park”.
She added that efforts are being made to ensure that women are an integral part of local councils so that gender-specific issues or concerns are not overlooked or ignored.
This park is the only public recreational area for the residents of Sultanabad. “The identification and prioritization of schemes is done at the city level by the elected city chairman, based on the needs of the local community and local development priorities. Accordingly, the proposal to upgrade this particular park was submitted by the concerned TMC, recognizing its central location, high public use and deteriorating condition,” said Hameed.
“Community requests are assessed for environmental risk and impact according to World Bank guidelines and then approved and prioritized as appropriate. We also work in collaboration with 246 union councils whose feedback and input we greatly value,” confirmed Mughal.
The park is neither the biggest, the greenest nor the most impressive, but it is a step towards making Karachi a greener city with more public spaces for local communities and citizens.
A total of eight parks have been completed and formally handed over to the respective TMCs for operation and maintenance, according to CLICK representatives. Another 50 parks and recreation areas are currently under completion and are expected to be inaugurated in February 2026.
