by SALMAN ASHRAF
Parks in Islamabad are in dire need of maintenance as they are being ignored constantly. These parks are a recreational spot for public , especially on the eve of special occasions.
Islamabad is famous for its large number of public parks which are crowded with visitors but especially on special occasions, needs attention of the concerned authorities.
The federal capital has around 180 parks with playgrounds for the recreational activities. However, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) with over 1200 technical and non-technical staff, dedicated to the upkeep of these parks, has miserably failed to look after the parks.
Public parks in most of the areas, including G-6, G-7, G-8, F-6, F-7 including Fatima Jinnah Park, also known as F-9 Park are in deteriorating condition.
Most of its area is covered with greenery with a few artificial structures dotting the landscape. Its dilapidated condition mirrors the performance of CDA officials.
The park has been turned into a sanctuary for wild life with the exception of some, which is located close to residential areas.
Most of the benches and lights were broken and you would not able to find drinking water anywhere. As the sun goes down, wild animals come out of their shelters scaring visitors away.
Furthermore, the other main parks of the federal capital like Rawal lake park, Ankara park and Jasmine park are in shambles but CDA has kept a blind eye to it.
Maaz, a regular visitor to Ankara park told Pakistan Today that due to absence of lamps in the park, people are afraid to visit in the evenings. “Boys enter in the park with their motorbikes and smoke here, which causes discomfort to the visitors.” he added.
Salma, another regular visitor to the park, told that she was a daily visitor along with her family and many other families also visit the park for recreational activities like jogging and playing, but they have to leave in the evening due to the lack of proper arrangement of street lights. She said that after evening, park submerges in darkness and families cannot continue their entertainment activities.
A resident of G-6, Dr Rehman said “the CDA has been earmarking handsome budget in the name of development of recreational facilities but many parks of the capital are still in pathetic condition.”
In June of 2016, CDA told PakistanToday that they had allocated budget for the parks, they will maintain the parks within two months and install the missing things.
It’s been four months now and people are still waiting for CDA to fulfill its promises. CDA when contacted by Pakistan Today, acknowledged its negligence towards the parks in Islamabad, and made another promise of installing equipments in parks and keeping them maintained.