Zubair Qureshi
After a prolonged and painful wait for over two years, children of the twin cities can finally enjoy their holiday in F-9 Park’s Kids Play Area which was recently made open for children and families.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) as per its promise that the facility will be made available to the children on Eid Day, opened the children’s play area on the eve of the Eid Day and now the facility is open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. though with a little jacked up ticket i.e. Rs30 for one person.
Islamabad has been reporting the lowest Covid-19 positivity i.e. below 1 percent during the last couple of months and normalcy too, has returned to the city as one can see booming business in markets, full attendance in offices and schools, etc. Likewise, sports activities are also in full swing and parks and playgrounds are back to life.
However, the kids’ play area in Fatima Jinnah Park (F-9 Park) remained closed despite all these positive signals and the twin cities’ children have been waiting for it to reopen for almost two years.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) had however claimed that the workers were busy in repair and refurbishing work and once the work was completed it would be opened.
Kids Play Area in the F-9 near the Gate No.3 opposite PAF Hospital was first closed due to Covid-19 and later for maintenance work and upgrading of the panels for children.
The area boasts of a large number of facilities like jumping castles, cradles, merry-go-round and fun areas offers plenty of joy for the kids and their families too feel distracted from the daily routine. It is also a good source of income for the park but the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) typical mindset and indifference are the main hurdles in the way of the children’s fun.
“We have come from Kotli Sattian Khan and are overjoyed to find the kids play area open,” said Nazish who had come along with her husband and six children.
An official of the park when contacted by Pakistan Observer said the Kids’ Play area is receiving 1000 to 1500 entrants. As the news spreads, we shall witness more entries, he said.
