Increasing Number Of Beggars Irk Visitors At Lake View Park

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Oct, 2018 ) :The increasing number of beggars in Lake View Park are creating nuisance for the visitors of this beautiful recreational spot in a large number to enjoy open air food, natural ambiance and pleasant weather.

Lake View Park has been emerged as the most popular recreational destination for thousands of dwellers of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad with its scenic beauty, variety of swings for children, open air barbeque spots and obviously the element of music.

"We spent our weekly off on Sunday at Lake View Park with whole family to have lamb barbeque but an increased number of beggars irritate us with their demands of money as well as food and spoiled our day", Nosheen Akbar, a visitor from Rawalpindi said while talking to APP.

She said, "during our meal, we have to move from one place to another considering that beggars-free but they again found us. Sunday is the only day when we go for outing with our children and other family members but such things become unnerving for us and other visitors".

Sameer Khan, another visitor from F-10 Markaz said, "I cannot understand why management of the park hesitates to take any action against these beggars or keep them outside the gates to provide the visitors a comfortable environment".

He said that at least 20 to 25 beggars came to me from the time of entrance to the park till leaving the place, adding, they continuously annoyed the whole family with their demands for food and money during the meal time, he said.

"Even I tried to register complain with the management about this issue, but no responsible person was there to respond," he said.

Saima Mushtaq said, "while holding my children with one hand and buying ticket with the other, the beggars continuously disturbed me at the entrance of the park and then inside it, adding she got rid off the beggars by paying something to each of them as they make it difficult for me to manage my children.

She said, it has become routine matter for the beggars to irritate the citizens either at shopping malls, parks or even while having food within their private car. Sometimes, even the beggars start cursing the citizens for not giving something to them.

The number of professional beggars has been increased manifold during the last few years while the concerned authorities are not taking any concrete measure to discourage this trend.

When contacted the Director Environment Wing Capital Development Authority (CDA) Khalil Ahmad Soomro, who has recently assumed the additional charge, said he has just assumed the charge of Environment Wing. However, he will himself visit the Lake View Park and look into the issues being faced by the visitors there and will obviously address those issues to facilitate visitors.

He said, his department will definitely sort out this issue and develop strategy to handle the issue of beggars.

He said Chairman CDA has also visited Lake View Park recently to check and ensure facilities being provided to the visitors.