Nawaz Sharif Park needs urgent renovation

[LahoreEstate]

Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Malik Ayub Sumbal

Rawalpindi

The Nawaz Sharif Park, once a major attraction for people looking for a beautiful recreational spot to spend some quality time with their families, is in shambles, as the authorities concerned are paying little heed towards its renovation.

The inhabitants of near by localities following abolishment of park entry fee by the Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif frequently visit the park. However, they expressed their dissatisfaction over the state of the park, which was once, rich with different varieties of flowers, flowing fountains, lush green meadows and attractive play land for children.

Talking to ‘The News’ many visitors were of the view that for the last many years they had not seen any development work going on in the park.

Sundas Ali, a visitor said, “We have no other place to visit, otherwise it is not a suitable place for recreational activities any more because of its dilapidated condition.” The authorities don’t even bother to replace the broken benches and the visitors have no place to sit in the park, she added.

Raja Fayaz, another visitor said, “The benches are broken and I am seeing them for a long time in this condition, but the administration of this park has not installed new benches in the park.”

Saleem Raza said the fountains of the park have been literally turned into dustbins. “The authorities concerned are not paying attention towards fountains, which are filled with rainwater, emanating foul smell.”

Yameen Ahmed, visiting the park with his family told ‘The News’ that the condition of play land is pathetic, as most of the swings have become dangerously dilapidated and could result into an accident anytime.

Some of the visitors said that the tuck shop owners were fleecing them. Atif Ahmed, a visitor said, “They offer very substandard food stuff on high rates.”

On the other hand scores of boys use the premises of the park for cricket and football resulting in ruining the green belts.

When contacted by ‘The News’ Tehsil Municipal Officer (TMO) Rawal Town, Irfan Saleem Butt said, “We would start the renovation work in the park soon. We will try to make it one of the beautiful parks of the city.”

An official of TMA, on condition of anonymity told ‘The News’ that an amount of Rs2.5 million was allocated for the renovation of around 42 parks in the TMA jurisdiction. However, this amount is not sufficient to even repair the green belts of all these parks, he added.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=159539