UPPER DIR: The only public park in Upper Dir district lacks basic facilities, complain visitors.

Developed on a Dir city hilltop in 2007, the Hill Park attracts local residents but also crowds of people from other parts of the district.

However, visitors, mostly children, regret water shortage, lack of eateries and absence of facilities.

Ghazan, 10-year-old resident of Dir Khas, told Dawn that he frequently visited the park along with family members and friends to play but was always upset to see broken swings, slides and other playthings.

Mohammad Ismail, a local lawyer, said the park gave visitors a chance to have an overview of beautiful Dir city but it lacked facilities for families.

He complained the park lacked proper security checks and its solar lighting system, too, was dysfunctional.

Said Badshah, a college student from Kohistan valley, said he had come to the park with friends after hearing a lot about it but he was a disappointed by a lack of proper food items, drinking water, toilets and other facilities.

He said the authorities should ensure the opening of more and more eateries on the premises not only to the relief of regular visitors but also to attract more.

Some children said as most swings and slides were broken, they played badminton, cricket, hide and seek, and local traditional game of Sakhai.

They said they visited the park on weekends and holidays and had a good time despite lack of playthings.

The children however complained they’d to take food along due to the absence of eateries in the park.

They demanded the immediate repair of broken rides and swings and availability of facilities for the relief of theirs and other visitors.

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2016