Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Residents of twin cities expressed serious concerns over poor condition and lack of facilities in Rose and Jasmine Garden Islamabad where Capital Development Authority (CDA) has no explanation for missing facilities. Visitors are returning thwarted because of deficiency of services. According to the survey conducted by Daily The Patriot hundreds of local from twin cities as well as foreign tourists visit the park daily but the number is decreasing day by day owing insufficiency of facilities including water, public toilet and place for prayer. Families avoid visiting park due to lack of facilities where drug pushers take advantage of the situation. As no guard deployed in the park thieves have take advantage to steal park belongings including grilles and bars. Swings and other recreational facilities are also missing.
Muhammad Arshad, a regular visitor told reporter that he isfoxed that CDA has wasted millions of rupees to decorate the park with flowers and street lights but not provided the visitors with basic facilities. Another visitor Tayyab Basir resident of Rawalpindi said that he could not spent much time in park as there is no ablution room and a small prayer place is in worst condition and it seems they never cleaned it for months. “Youngsters are using the place as lovers point and mostly seen involved in immoralactivities but nobody cares” he added.
Abdali Shah, Ex Incharge of Rose and Jasmine Garden floored when came to know that his contact number is still given on the notice board as Incharge Park. Deputy Director Parks, Tariq Aziz admitting that lapses by civic agency in providing facilities and said the issue is under consideration and department will soon take steps to render missing facilities. He said he has spentform his pocket to buy paint and other equipment as CDA has not approved any grant for development this year. He said soon the park administration office will be reopened also to address the visitor complaints while Director Parks, Muhammad Irshad refused to talk about the issue. Visitors also appreciated the development work done by CDA to beautify the park but complained the missing facilities and demanded from Chairman CDA to ensure the presence of park management and address their grudges on priority.
