A park to call their own

Ladies park in F-10 faces delay due to paucity of funds.

ISLAMABAD: A first of its kind ladies park in the capital is still awaiting approval. For the past seven months, the PC-I of the project is on hold, even though it was supposed to be completed in 2010.

Financial constraints are the main hurdle behind the delay, an official of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), asking not to be named, told The Express Tribune. He added that construction work on the project will be approved as soon as funds are allocated.

The project was first announced in 2008 by Tariq Mehmood, who was the chairperson of CDA back then. The facility, he said, will be made in the existing space allocated for parks in the sector  and will conform to international standards.

The objective of the facility is to provide an area meant exclusively for women, fully-equipped with recreational and fitness facilities including gyms, a swimming pool, jogging tracks and basketball courts.

According to the PC-1, the park will also have a commercial area, with shops and restaurants run by females.

“A rewarding feature for females in the park will be its management and security, which will solely be handled by women,” the CDA official said.

Right now, women in the capital do not have access to a dedicated park.

Sana Jamshed, a student from sector G-10, said, “There is no place where I can walk or jog alone. The existing spots are overwhelmingly full, rendering it inconvenient.”

Natasha Alvi, a teacher, said that presently the capital had no places for physical fitness, like pools and courts. Only Islamabad Club offers such facilities, which are inaccessible to most, she added.

“After a long day’s work, one feels like going for some refreshment but unfortunately there are no places suitable for women,” said Sehar Qureshi, an employee of a multinational organisation.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st, 2010.