Religious clerics demand closure of Jinnah Family Park in Bannu

BANNU: Local religious scholars have demanded the closure of a family park in the Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The Jinnah Family Park in Bannu Cantonment was opened to the public on Eidul Azha, which had drawn strong opposition from local religious clerics and elders.

The religious scholars have publicly opposed the park’s opening and strongly condemned it.

They argue that “immoral activities in the park pose a threat to social values.” Clerics also used their Friday sermons to call upon citizens to speak out against the park and keep their children away.

The clerics said they were consulting locals on the next steps and will soon launch a movement against the park.

Also read: Locals protest demarcation of land for public park near Khanpur Dam

Mudassir Shah, a resident of Bannu, noted that protests had previously forced the closure of another family park after unpleasant incidents at the venue, some of which had gone viral on social media.

According to him, administrative mismanagement led to public opposition.

“If the park had been limited to women only, it wouldn’t have become such a serious issue,” he added, blaming the entry of young men for escalating the controversy.

The Bannu district administration did not respond to questions

Why is the family park controversial?

Fida Adeel, a Peshawar-based journalist originally from Bannu, said that a park dedicated to women and children was introduced earlier.

He said  that ,en were not allowed unless accompanied by their families. However, during its special opening for women on August 14, 2023, crowds of men gathered outside, and videos circulated on social media that locals deemed against Bannu’s cultural traditions.

He said that reports also spread that some boys disguised themselves in burqas to enter the park, sparking public outrage. This led the administration to close the park, he said.

According to Adeel, the park reopened after Eidul Azha, but this time it is not reserved for women. Despite this, local religious scholars have once again initiated a movement against the park to have it shut down.

Where to go for recreation?

An female social worker requesting anonmity told Urdu News that public parks are one of the few recreational spots left in Bannu. Given the tense security environment, citizens deserve a safe place to relax.

“Closing the park over one or two incidents is unreasonable,” she said, adding that improving park management would prevent further problems.

“If this park also shuts down, where will people go for recreation?” she asked.