Monument at Shahkir Parian, gradually losing people’s interest

Monument at Shahkir Parian, gradually losing people’s interest

ISLAMABAD, Nov 20 (APP): A fascinating place in the federal capital – National Monument perched on hill-top Shakir Parian – is gradually losing interest of people and visitors from across the country.
The site is losing its ‘charm’ apparently due to lack of proper maintenance, less facililities, besides broken and missing tiles, untrimmed plants and dry fountains.
A visitor, hailing from Multan, Muhammad Asif Tanveer said,”I am going through a mental agony to see pollution at the place such as wrappers, disposable bottles and lot of dust”.
He said “the National Monument has been a favorite place for me due to its unique flower-blooming structure, besides beautifully depicting cultural heritage of all provinces.”
He said that the portraying of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Moterma Fatima Jinnah and Allama Iqbal’s pictures on the walls of the Monument is a great tribute to national heroes. He drew the attention to the problem of termite which may destroy the fine art of calliphgry in due course of time.
Another Visitor, Abeeha Shabbir form Rawalpindi, expressed her concern over poor cleanliness arrangements and lack of enforcement that allows visitors to dump ‘used items’ at the site.
She stressed the need to install more insignias and billboards to educate people, and depute a feasible number of the employees for ensuring its proper cleanliness.
Muhammad Aqail, an elderly man, was also furious over the lack of facilities and poor arrangements for aged people while sitting on a broken edge of fountain.
He said, he often comes here with his family to have a view of the city and enjoy its beautiful scenes, but unfortunately this time it was a disappointing to stand in long queues on ticket-window.
He pointed out that there is no separate window or specific concession for special or elderly persons.
He expressed his dismay over the condition of the premises, fearing a gradual loss of people’s interest due to current conditions.
A group of University students, hailing from Lahore told APP, that there is no concession for students.
They called for special concession for students since recreational activities are integral part of their studies.
Paying Rs 20 for entry and over Rs 50 in the museum for each student is somehow an undue and extra burden, they added.
They passionately called for ticket-free entry of universities, colleges and schools students, so that maximum number of youth could get benefit.
They also demanded proper dailiy cleaning of toilets at premises besides a charge-free use.
It is pertinent to mention that a man sitting besides public washrooms, charge Rs 10 for each person.
A motorists Muhammmad Fiaz Nabi said that there is limited parking place and the space available near monument is charged Rs 20 to 30 for each vichile.
He said there should be a ticket-free parking or at least Rs 10 be charged to facilitate maximum number of visitors.
When contacted the official of the authority concerned, told APP on a condition of anoymity that there is lack of funds for its renovation and repair works.
Morover, staff deputed to maintain its beauty and decoration had been transfered and remaing staff is not sufficient to manage affairs of such a large monument.
“We do receive complaints and suggestions regarding pollution, dust, broken walls, missing tiles, ugly fontains and poor arrangements from the visitors and forward these to concerned officials”, he added.
He expressed the optimism that newly elected leadership of the city would be able to address the issues of this public site.

APP Services