Excellent arrangements made by Presidency staff to brief general public about President House
Zubair Qureshi
It is natural that one wishes to spend one’s first day of the New Year in a special way, doing something that remains a lasting memory and he or she can cherish it for the rest of life.
President Dr Arif Alvi who according to many is a true ‘people’s president’ perhaps sensing this natural desire of the many amongst us directed his staff to open the doors of the presidential palace (Aiwan-e-Sadr) for the general public on the first day (Saturday) of the year 2022.
No sooner did the official and the private media run the news that the people could visit Aiwan-e-Sadr between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. than the people in large numbers came out of their houses despite cold weather and chilly winds to visit the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
They came not only from the twin cities but also from other parts like Jhelum, Chakwal, Peshawar and neighbouring areas to visit the President House to see different sections of the Aiwan-e-Sadr and observe from close quarters how they are administered. They also saw those meeting halls, conference rooms and places where important decisions were made by Pakistan’s successive presidents.
Women and children constituted a better and larger segment of the visitors who had come to visit the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The staff of the Aiwan-e-Sadr in impressive turned-out national dresses as well as the trousers and jackets made themselves available to respond to the public queries had they any regarding the history and construction of a particular portion of the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
They spoke politely to the general public and made them feel at home in the Aiwan-e-Sadr. One could see ample water made available for the visitors.
This short visit provided them a temporary relief from the bitter reality of the coronavirus as in the media it was reported that Covid-19 cases were on the rise.
Peshawar-based Jahanzaib Khan who had come to see the Aiwan-e-Sadr along with friends said though he had come to Islamabad for just sight-seeing and were supposed to visit Murree and other areas, yet after listening to a radio announcement he and his friends decided to make Aiwan-e-Sadr also one of their ‘places worth-vising,’ list so they decided to visit Aiwan-e-Sadr first and then continue with their onward journey towards Murree and Galiyat.
This is simply unbelievable that we are standing in the President House without any check or inquiry from anyone, said he.
An Islamabad-based university student, Nyla who had come along with her parents also revealed that she was feeling thrilled to be inside the ‘House of Power.’ This is amazing and a privilege to be inside the Aiwan-e-Sadr that once made all the important decisions changing the course of our history, said she.
According to an official handout on Saturday, in the past too, the Presidency remained open for the general public on several occasions to give them an opportunity to have a glimpse of the building once considered out of bounds for the general public.
The Aiwan-e-Sadr nestled at the foothills of Margalla hills, presents an exquisite spectacle to the beholders and holds an important place in the history of the nation.
