Fatima Jinnah Park

Fatima Jinnah Park (Urdu: فاطمہ جناح پارک), also known as Capital Park or F-9 Park, is a public recreational park that spans the whole of Sector F-9 of Islamabad, Pakistan. It is named after Mādar-e Millat Fatima Jinnah, the younger sister of the founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Fatima Jinnah Park
فاطمہ جناح پارک
TypePublic
LocationIslamabad, Pakistan
Coordinates33°42′07″N 73°01′22″E
Area304 hectares (750 acres)
Opened1992 (1992)
DesignerMichael Japero
EtymologyFrom the name of Mādar-e Millat Fatima Jinnah, sister of Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Administered byCapital Development Authority
OpenYear-round; 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
StatusOperating
ParkingAvailable

At 304 hectares (750 acres), it is just smaller than New York's Central Park.[1] It was designed by Michael Japero, and was inaugurated in 1992.[2] The park’s original master plan was prepared by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and was revised in 2005 by Pakistani architect Nayyar Ali Dada.[3]

Fatima Jinnah Park's vast acreage is mostly covered by greenery, with a few man-made structures dotting the landscape. Most of the park area is effectively a wildlife sanctuary, except for a few areas of the park that are close to residential districts. The park is bounded by a steel fence with entrance doors placed at regular intervals, although only a few are routinely open and used. A further strip of land outside of the fence is lined with a footpath. A well laid network of footpaths lies inside the park, with neat grass and a few statues.

Layout
F-9 Fatima Jinnah Park Islamabad

Since the park is bounded by a steel fence on all four sides, entrance is possible only through the gates, at least one of which is present on each side.

  • Gate 1: Mehran Gate, located on the southern side on Jinnah Avenue, facing sector G-9[4]
  • Gate 2: Bolan Gate, located on the western side, facing sector F-10[5]
  • Gate 3: Khyber Gate, located on the northern side, facing sector E-9
  • Gate 4: Ravi Gate, located on the eastern side, facing sector F-8
  • Gate 5: Located on the eastern side, leads to the Citizen Club Mass Vaccination Centre

A network of jogging tracks connects the abovementioned gates. Moreover, there is a mosque, parking lot, and public toilets at every entrance.

Guide map

Public use

Only a few areas of Fatima Jinnah Park are man-made, containing busy clusters of buildings, while other areas rarely see human activity. The park's open spaces are commonly used for recreational walking and outdoor sports. Occasionally, they are used for driving lessons.[6] The following man-made buildings are located inside the park:

Leisure Arena

Originally known as Mega Zone, this complex was renovated and inaugurated as Leisure Arena on 21 December 2019.[7] It includes a sports zone with a standard-length swimming pool, a gym, and tables for table tennis and snooker. The complex also includes facilities for bowling, arcade games, laser tag, and other games; areas for fast food and dining; and an assortment of shops for clothes, DVDs, and other items.

McDonald's

The Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered a McDonald's fast-food restaurant and several clubs, such as an Aeromodelling Club, that had been operating inside F-9 Park to close down.[8] However, these establishments are still operational as of 2023.

Solar power plant

In 2017, F-9 Park converted to solar energy with 3,400 solar panels installed on an area of around five acres inside the 750-acre (300 ha) park at a cost of $4.8 million. Funds for the project were provided by the Chinese government as a grant. These panels generate about 0.85 megawatts (850 kW) of power and have a back-up facility to provide energy to street lights. The system runs water pumps and sprinkler systems for the park, and provides power for the offices of the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad and Capital Development Authority, both located within the park.[9]

Mass vaccination centre

In May 2021, a mass coronavirus vaccination centre was opened in the Citizen Club building inside the park. The facility has 75 counters, and can inoculate 7,000 people daily.[10] Moreover, in June 2021, a drive-through vaccination centre was opened in the park in collaboration with Ministry of Health, Capital Development Authority, and the Bank of Punjab.[11]

Illegal logging

Over the past few years, the lack of repairs to the south-eastern side of the fence has enabled illegal cutting and transportation of trees.[12]

Future plans

The Capital Development Authority (CDA), which manages the park, has grand plans for the space, which is sometimes called the "sleeping heart" of Islamabad. The issue of the park's development is more pressing now that the people of Islamabad have taken a keen interest in recreational activities. The CDA's proposed future design for the park will include lakes, rock gardens, aquariums, and fountains.

  • Aiwan-e-Quaid
    Aiwan-e-Quaid
  • A walking track in the Park, with the Margalla Hills in the background
    A walking track in the Park, with the Margalla Hills in the background
  • Early morning view in winters
    Early morning view in winters
  • Foundation stone
    Foundation stone
  • Foundation stone
    Foundation stone
  • Baradari
    Baradari
  • The three domes
    The three domes
  • A pond in the Park
    A pond in the Park
  • Aerial view of the park's western side
    Aerial view of the park's western side

See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fatima Jinnah Park.

References
  1. Hussain, Danish (25 February 2016). "Fatima Jinnah Park to have its own Ferris wheel". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 28 May 2020. Fatima Jinnah Park is spread over 750 acres.
  2. "Fatima Jinnah Park". Dawn. 13 October 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  3. Shakeel, Madiha (26 April 2018). "Fatima Jinnah Park known as F-9 park attracts visitors, tourists". Business Recorder. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  4. Junaidi, Ikram; Yasin, Aamir (25 April 2016). "PTI's foundation day event a crowd puller". Dawn. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  5. "Festival to promote home-based entrepreneurship kicks off today". The Nation. 28 November 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  6. Mumtaz, Hajrah (22 November 2021). "Sneer of cold command". Dawn. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  7. "National Assembly of Pakistan". National Assembly of Pakistan. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  8. "McDonald`s comeback in danger". Dawn. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  9. "Faced with blackouts, Islamabad's F-9 park goes solar". Dawn. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  10. "Asad Umar inaugurates mass coronavirus vaccination centre in Islamabad". The News International. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  11. "Drive through vaccination centre at ICT's F-9 Park set up". The News International. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  12. Junaidi, Ikram (1 March 2020). "Tree cutting continues with impunity in F-9 Park". Dawn. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
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