New shelter home to be inaugurated in Aug
The construction of a three-storey shelter home is in the final stages and will begin operation next month. The new dwelling will have a separate accommodation facility for men and women.
Since the launch of Fawara Chowk Panagah in 2019, around 76,955 people have visited or stayed in the shelter home. Meanwhile, In 2019, 39,345 labourers visited the shelter home while the figure was 24,644 in 2020. Until July 25 this year, some 12,966 labourers visited and stayed at the home.
Fawara Chowk Panahgah In-Charge Data Entry Muhammad Fakhar told The Express Tribune that entry starts at 6pm and continues until 10pm. Dinner is served between 8pm and 9pm while breakfast timings are between 7am and 7:30am.
The official said a national identity card (NIC) is mandatory for entry. Fakhar said the menu changes daily and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras are also installed. He said there is a separate fan for every bed.
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However, as the home is in the basement, the room is cool during summer. In winter, the dwelling is equipped with heaters during winter and each occupant gets a quilt.
The in-charge added that there was no shelter home for women in Rawalpindi and the new building will have space to accommodate 100 women.
He said the new Panahgah will have triple bunk beds and a large dining hall. In addition, there will be a TV lounge besides indoor games such as ludo, carom, table tennis, etc for dwellers. There would be an arrangement for sewing facilities for women too.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 30th, 2021.