ISLAMABAD: The diplomatic enclave shuttle service, a lifeline for citizens visiting embassies for visas, has come under fire for its appalling conditions. Cafes meant to serve visitors were riddled with unsanitary practices and substandard items were openly sold. Visitors complained about broken washrooms, unpleasant odors, piles of garbage and even stables in the area. Some waiting rooms had iron beds instead of proper seating. “The washrooms are completely unusable. There is a terrible stench everywhere and the waiting rooms look like an abandoned warehouse,” a frustrated visa applicant told APP. Abdul Rehman, another visitor, complained about the overpriced and poor quality of the food: “Cafes are a scam. They sell expired snacks at exorbitant prices and do not pay attention to hygiene.” Piles of garbage and even stables have added to the chaos and created an environment unfit for the thousands of citizens who depend on the service on a daily basis. “It should be the federal capital, but these conditions are worse than in rural areas,” noted a disappointed traveler Sana. Following complaints from visitors, CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa made a surprise visit on Tuesday and found the service in a deplorable state. Chairman Randhawa immediately intervened, closing both canteens at the site and ordering the Islamabad Food Authority to test the quality of the food. Court proceedings were also initiated against the cafe’s owners. “This is unacceptable. Citizens deserve better facilities,” Randhawa said in a media interview. He requested a plan to modernize the shuttle within three weeks, emphasizing the need to transform the space into a clean, modern facility. It is currently running the service under the supervision of the CDA as per the instructions of the Home Secretary and operates 10 electric buses daily to facilitate the citizens. The minister emphasized the importance of ensuring high quality services for visa applicants. The CDA chairman assured the citizens that the area would soon be upgraded with state-of-the-art facilities. “We are committed to providing the best service to people,” he said. CDA officials including DMA members were present during the inspection.
