‘Ruined’ Sindh Assembly cafeteria cost taxpayers millions

KARACHI: The cafeteria of the Sindh Assembly, located in the old building, was a sight to behold six years ago when it was renovated. Today, it lies in ruin.

The renovation and repair was carried out during the term of former speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro and millions were spent on the project. Expensive tiles were used on the floor of the cafeteria and expensive furniture was also brought in. The walls were repaired and a fountain was installed.

In just a few years, the once beautiful fountain has become dysfunctional and its flooring has deteriorated owing to the substandard material used in its repair. Most of the expensive tiles on the floor have completely broken, the once new furniture is in a state of disrepair and the seats of the sofas are torn from various places. The walls, floor and even the fountain have been painted anew by betel stains and garbage litters the premises.

The old building of the Sindh Assembly has been declared a heritage site and one would expect that the cafeteria inside its premises would merit the appropriate upkeep. However, the dilapidated condition of the area reflects the administration's mismanagement and neglect.

According to sources, the people from the administration and assembly members rarely visit the cafeteria in the old building.

However, the new spacious cafeteria built in the new building of the Sindh Assembly is frequently visited by members of the assembly. This may be one of the reasons the cafeteria in the old building is in ruins.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 23^rd, 2019.