Forgotten: Sirajia Park – no place to be

Facility spread over 10 kanals is shorn of all things that make a park.

RAWALPINDI: It is becoming harder and harder to find a park in the garrison city that is in good condition. Sirajia Park, spread over 10 kanals in Saidpur Road Scheme, is deserted and haunts the visitors.

According to locals, the park was earlier known to be a good recreational place, but due to negligence on the part of the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA), it has lost its charm.

“Now the situation has changed. Earlier, due to its serene atmosphere, swings for children, and jogging tracks, the park used to attract a large number of visitors, particularly families,” said, Liaqat Ali, a college student.

A broken bench, swings without hanging seats and twisted fences speak volume of the apathy of the park management. PHOTO: KASHIF ABASSI/EXPRESS

The park no longer offers anything of note for children or the elderly. There is no drinking water and toilet facility.

“This is a small park. It can be managed with a little attention from the authorities, but who cares for public,” said an employee at the park, who wished not to be named.

Sagheer Ahmed, a visitor, said that he lives in the neighborhood and has observed that with each passing day, its condition is getting worse.

Broken fence lets the stray dogs in, while an employee of the park wishing not to be named said that few years back, authorities had established a fountain in the park which was made functional only for one day. The very next day, the park administration, for reasons best known to them, closed that facility.

“We have no idea, where the electric motor and broken swings have gone,” an employee said.

Park Administrator Shabir Hussain admitted that the park has lost its original form and is in pathetic condition.

When asked about the ‘missing’ motor and broken swings, he said when he took the charge, these things were not handed over to him.

PHA deputy director Muhammad Numan Arshad said he was in contact with the authorities for funds for renovation and maintenance of the park.

A broken bench, swings without hanging seats and twisted fences speak volume of the apathy of the park management. PHOTO: KASHIF ABASSI/EXPRESS

To a query, he said that broken swings were lying in store room, adding that when the PHA took control of the park two years back, the motor was not handed over to it.

He said would hold an inquiry to find the ‘missing motor’. “I will check whether it was government owned or rented from a private contractor.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2014.