By Aziz Khatri
KARACHI: Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab inaugurated the Hanif Mohammad Cricket Ground at Hill Park, highlighting his administration’s focus on reclaiming and revitalizing public spaces across the city. The event underscored the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s efforts to offer residents accessible and high-quality recreational areas. Mayor Wahab assured that parks, playgrounds, and public heritage sites would be preserved and reopened for public use, reinforcing civic pride and cultural identity.
He noted that historic venues like Frere Hall and Khaliq Dina Hall had already been returned to public use, with Denso Hall and Empress Market next in line. A cultural activity zone is planned at Empress Market, and Wahab encouraged writers, artists, and performers to animate these revived spaces with community programming. The Mayor announced that 50 parks across Karachi would be rehabilitated in 2025, with two — in District West and District South — to be inaugurated this week.
The new Hanif Mohammad Cricket Ground, transformed from a derelict lake site, is named after Pakistan’s iconic batsman and features cricket and football facilities, as well as walking tracks tailored for women and the elderly. The project reflects the Pakistan People’s Party’s broader vision of public-centered urban development. Wahab suggested reserving major parks for families on weekends and asked the media to invite public feedback on the idea.
