Will famous D-Chowk regain its beauty ever?

Islamabad

The otherwise ‘Islamabad-the beautiful’ ired with ugly containers and messy green area with barbed wires and construction material carelessly placed here and there at the famous D-Chowk leading to the Parliament House.

As the area is hardly crossed by the Very Important Persons (VIPs), the ugliness of this particular area, which was once famous for its beauty and world class, is never addressed since many years.

The area behind containers, recently painted blue by the authorities, is still kept spick and span but it is inaccessible for many due to security reasons. All they can see from the D-Chowk are huge containers and messy green area around them.

Tastefully decorated with seasonal flowers, the Constitution Avenue where stand important government buildings especially the National Assembly and the Prime Minister Secretariat was once an avenue good for pleasure drives.

The road was also a favourite spot for tourists coming from different parts of the country. Newlyweds were often found taking pictures in front of these buildings where their destiny is discussed.

Another big attraction was the Parade Square where people used to spend their evenings. The place continues to be a no-go zone and has rather become a favourite spot for demonstration and rallies.

This section of the Jinnah Avenue – the scene of the annual Pakistan Day Parade, has remained shut ever since former president Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule in November 2007.

People including women and children found the stands on either side of the road a place good enough to while away their time. That this spot stands close to the corridors of power was also an added attraction.

Ice cream and popcorn sellers did good business in the days when there was no bar on public movement. The familiar tune of the ice cream vendors rang through the air with children running up and down the stands as their parents sat chatting with each other.

It was initially thought that the closure of the road was only temporary yet it has continued with barricades, barbed wire and policemen blocking the way.

The lifting of emergency was followed by lawyers’ protest, the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, subsequently the general elections and a string of ‘dharnas’ that gave the authorities good reason to keep public at bay.

This prolonged closure has upset many of the regulars who point out that this state of siege in their very own city was annoying. “The administration has reduced police pickets in the town. Why cannot they open this area for general public again,” asked Rashid Shafiq, who was a regular visitor of the place before it was blocked.

“I long for this area to open – it was such a fine place and the kids used to love coming here,” remarked Shenaz Azeem, a resident of close by sector. “I still remember March 23 activities in this area. We used to watch warplanes and helicopters flying over our homes. We wish that time comes back,” she said.