Daily Times

KARACHI: The administration of Alladin Amusement Park has rented out 200 basement shops to a private university for Rs 1.5 million per month without seeking permission from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation

The AAP administration without acquiring any prior permission from KMC has also built commercial areas inside AAP premises, the market shopkeepers have revealed.

KMC in 1987, on a 25-year agreement had allotted 52 acres of land to Shamsi and Company for building a commercial park with laying down laws that only 30 percent of the land would be used for commercial purposes.

But in sheer violation, Company has spread out its commercial activities on more than 70 percent of land.

Col Zahid Ahmad (retd), administrator Alladin Shopping Mall has also confirmed these reports that shops have been rented out to a private university.

However he has maintained that any further detail to be sought in this context could be received from the AAP management.

The commercial activities at AAP have been increasing day by day which is sheer violation of KMC’s rules and regulations set for this public fun site.

The parks administration on its own has also rented out open sites of 22 stalls inside the park premises to private parties on the monthly rent of Rs 65,000 to Rs 70,000 each.

Four wedding halls on six acres of land inside the Park have also been built and these sites are being run by private event management firms on half a million rupees on basis of active-business per day.

The park administration has been charging Rs 100 per head as entry fee contrary to the prescribed KMC fee of Rs 50 per head.

Responsible officials of the park have been in a habit of issuing entry tickets to visitors in the garb of disabled persons in a very tactful manner in order to avoid maximum amount to be paid to Excise Department Sindh on head of entertainment tax.

In addition, the laxity in security and even the alleged involvement of security staff in anti-social behavior, even teasing, questionable misconduct and crimes especially against females have been on the rise unabated.

The controllable crimes with better security remains urgent and expedient to stop further spread of immorality which may not come under amusement category in society, Qamar Qureshi President of Economic Forum Pakistan expressed his views.

It is the largest park in Pakistan where people come and enjoy with their families. The AAP also has water-park facility.