ISLAMABAD: Rawal Dam Park will be opened to the public after six years following the intervention of the parliament.

The park was closed by the authorities in 2013 for security reasons, but on Thursday Parliamentary Secretary on Interior Shaukhat Ali assured the National Assembly that it will be reopened to the public in a month.

Mr Ali was responding to a calling attention notice moved by MNAs Ali Nawaz Awan and Nafeesa Inayatullah Khan Khattak that sought to “invite attention of the minister for interior to a matter of urgent public importance regarding closure of old Lake View Park for the visitors of Islamabad and other cities, causing grave concern amongst the public.”

Mr Ali said that the PTI is in government and the security situation in the country has improved significantly, and many no-go areas are being opened to the public.

Old park had been closed in 2013 due to security reasons, NA told

He added that although the park falls within the limits of Islamabad, it was run by the Punjab government, which also supervises Rawal Dam.

He said he has taken up the issue the Punjab irrigation department secretary, inspector general of police Islamabad and the deputy commissioners of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. A visit will soon be made to the site, after which it will be reopened to the public, Mr Ali said.

Mr Awan said that the area was a popular picnic spot for locals and visitors from other cities.

He said it was the interior ministry’s responsibility to reopen the park, adding that this issue was taken up in the past to no avail.

Mr Awan appreciated Mr Ali’s assurance, but asked Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri – who chaired the session – ensure the park is opened in a month. To this, Mr Ali said that the month-long period was given because of the planned visit, and the park will be opened within the deadline.

Ms Khattak said the park was closed abruptly in 2013 and an inquiry should be held to determine why. She added that there is a historic Hindu temple next to the park, which should be made a part of it after it being renovated.

Mr Ali said the temple would also be renovated.

The temple is question is what remains of Rawal village, which disappeared under the lake after the dam was constructed in 1960. The temple, which belongs to the Evacuee Trust Property Board, was not preserved and has been closed for many years.

The local Hindu community has demanded that the temple be reopened for worship as there are no temples in the capital, and local residents have to go to Krishna Mandir in Saddar, Rawalpindi.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2020