Diplomatic shuttle service: High fares for the visitors continue

ISLAMABAD: The diplomatic shuttle service, in charge of taking foreign visa seekers inside the Diplomatic Enclave, continues fleecing hundreds of visitors coming daily to the embassies and foreign missions.

Each visitor has to pay Rs500 for getting inside the diplomatic enclave as entry of private vehicles and public transport is not allowed on the pretext of security.

An official of Planning Wing Capital Development Authority (CDA) revealed that the approved fare of diplomatic shuttle bus service is Rs200 per passenger but the service is charging a staggering Rs500 without any approval from the authority.

He said the CDA board of directors has already constituted an inquiry committee in light of recommendations of the commission to probe alleged irregularities in the contract awarded to a private firm for running the shuttle.

Around 1,000 to 1,500 people visit different embassies daily and a private firm has been earning millions in absence of any monitoring mechanism.

The judicial commission was set up by Islamabad High Court after a petition was filed by Chaudhry Attaur Rehman against the diplomatic shuttle service for charging exorbitant fees from visitors.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 28^th, 2013.