KARACHI, Oct 30: The contractors appointed by the government at the mausoleum of the Father of the Nation, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, are fleecing people by charging more than the prescribed entry as well as parking fees, it is learnt.

According to sources, the prescribed amount of entry fee is neither written on the ticket nor on the ticket booths. However, some boards, with directions, and fees written on them are fixed at some distance away from the ticket booths.

But while the directions are written clearly, paint from places on boards showing the amount of fees has been “wiped out”, ensuring that it isn’t read clearly by visitors.

An entrance fee of Rs5 is being charged for an adult; however, no fees rate is printed on the ticket. A ticket No: 026375 read: “Bagh-i-Quaid-i-Azam Maintenance charges. To be retained, shown on demand.”

The parking fee being charged for a car is Rs20.

Responding to Dawn’s queries, Mohammad Arif of the Quaid-i-Azam Mazar Management Board (QMMB) said the prescribed entrance fee for an adult was Rs3 and for a child up to 12 years was Rs2, while parking fees was in two slabs; one for morning and one for the evening.

A motorcycle was charged Rs2, a car Rs5, a bus Rs20, and a van Rs20 between 9am and 4pm, while the fees was Rs5, Rs10, Rs30 and Rs20 respectively from 4pm to 11pm.

He said big boards with ticket rates, parking fees, etc, written on them were displayed at the gates. He said he had now directed contractors to build new ticket kiosks with ticket rates prominently written on them.

He said he would look into the issue of overcharging and will take stern steps, according to the law, if contractors were caught overcharging and fleecing the masses.

Mr Arif said the contract for collection of maintenance charges was given for Rs7.3 million, and for collecting parking fees was given for Rs1.4 million.

He also informed that pre-arranged conducted tours for students and senior citizens were organized free of charge.