F-9 Park continues to disallow children in kids’ play area citing Covid-19
Zubair Qureshi
A large number of children and families of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and even those from the nearby cities and towns Sunday returned dejected, dis-hearted and disappointed when they were told that the Kids Play Area of the Fatima Jinnah Park (F-9) near the Gate No.3 opposite PAF Hospital was close despite a significant reduction in number of Covid-19 cases.
The federal capital according to District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Zaeem Zia, had recorded 0.78 percent coronavirus positivity rate in the last 24 hours as 20 persons tested positive 2after, 575 tests conducted in 24 hours and almost all the restrictions related to Covid-19 and Islamabad in this regard has already been declared ahead of all other cities with respect to following Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
However, whereas grown up and elderly citizens are enjoying themselves this relief from Covid-19 restrictions, children and younger individuals have to face ban despite the fact the spring is in the air and there are prolonged holidays in this week starting from Monday (today) and the iconic F-9 Park and its famed Kids Play Area is still out of bounds for them.
The area with state-of-the-art facilities, 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 hoping our children will be able to spend quality time at the Kids Play Area and we too will enjoy but here we are told it is closed,” said Majeed who had come along with his wife and six children.
They are crying and asking why this area is closed when the whole park is open and why children are not being allowed to play and enjoy, said Majeed’s wife.
Another family headed by a businessman Sarfaraz Hussain that had come from Satellite Town Rawalpindi also expressed disappointment at the CDA’s lethargic and work-shirking mindset. Islamabad and the rest of the country have been declared free of coronavirus and shopping malls, markets, schools and offices in short every department is back to work except the children’s play area of the F-9 Park, he said. When Daily Pakistan Observer asked the park officials why the Kids Play Area is still closed, they said this was the decision of the high-ups. “We are short of funds and force to be deputed at the Kids Play Area for the smooth running of the facility,” said one of them.
