Deserted restaurant in Islamabad’s F-9 Park to be converted into museum

ISLAMABAD: Taking notice of the dismal condition of a building dedicated for a restaurant in F-9 Park, the management of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to convert it into a museum.

The management also showed dissatisfaction over the carpeting of roads in F-11 and G-9.

Moreover, the Metropolitan Corporation of Islamabad (MCI) has been directed to renovate a gym located between F-11 and G-11.

Though it was an off day for the civic authority on Saturday, CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed spent the whole day visiting different areas of the city and took a number of decisions. He was accompanied by officers of the civic agency.

Although F-9 Park seemed to be in good shape, there was a hall in the middle of the park which was not.

Amer Ali Ahmed, while talking to Dawn, said the building, spread over an area of around 3,000 square feet, was dedicated for a restaurant.

“However, the city does not have a good experience of having restaurants in parks. So we have decided to convert it into a history museum in which there will be photographs, videos and other material related to the city.

“The idea is to inform people how Islamabad came into being and how it progressed; we are hoping the museum would attract a large number of people, especially tourists,” he said.

Mr Ahmed said he also visited a park being established between F-11 and G-11 and ordered pending work to be completed within two days, warning that strict action would be taken against officers in case of non-compliance of direction.

“It is our culture that people usually go out for a walk after sunset so I have directed that lights be installed in the park. There are also walkways and cycling track in the park,” he said, adding that he also visited a gym located in G-11, run by the MCI, and expressed his annoyance over the poor state of cleanliness.

“Windows were covered with paper and it seemed as if no one had been deputed to clean the hall,” the CDA chairman said.

According to an official statement, Amer Ali Ahmed also observed the development work in different areas of the city and directed that work on carpeting of roads be expedited.