ISLAMABAD: City managers on Wednesday decided to operationalise the Art and Craft Village that was built 16 years ago to show case the work of artists, artisans, folk performers and young talent.

Until now, the space has remained to be an unfulfilled dream in the picturesque environs of Shakarparian.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) had spent Rs386 million on the said project but the facility was never put to proper use. In the past, it was partially used but later on, all types of activities were halted.

The village includes shops, exhibition hall, design centre, artist studios, students hostels, amphitheatre, open air entertainment space, childrens’ play areas and parks, regional Pakistan food centres, chai khanas, artisan hostels and so on but it has been lying abandoned.

“We have decided to revive this project in accordance with its original theme,” said CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed, who visited the premises on Wednesday along with two other members of the CDA board.

Talking to Dawn, he said all provinces and Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government will be requested to take over food courts and stalls to promote their culture , while remaining food courts/shops will be auctioned, he said.

The facility was developed in 2005 to promote soft image of the country. But the CDA, in a questionable manner, outsourced the facility partially to the private sector. Seven years later in 2012, the CDA revoked the agreement with the firm after pointing out “irregularities” in it.

Meanwhile, officials said that probe by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) into civil work followed further delay in organising the management. In 2014-15, the then management of CDA had also announced that they are going to make the facility operational but it never happened.

“This is a matter of concern as such a huge area has been under utilised for years. In the past, half-hearted attempts were made to make it functional. Now, time will tell, if the incumbent management will be able to bring it in use, if so that will be a good service to people,” said an official of the CDA.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by CDA said that its chairman along with member administration and member finance visited the said village.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2021