ISLAMABAD: Owing to the slackness of the city managers, people are being forced to pay high fares to use the shuttle service to enter the Diplomatic Enclave.

Sources told Dawn recently a European diplomat also tried to wake up the city managers from their slumber, informing them about the overcharging issue faced by the public visiting embassies. However, so far, no action has been taken to stop this practice.

A citizen told Dawn the shuttle service was “charging high fares”. The shuttle service, which transports citizens from outside the diplomatic enclave to embassies inside the enclave, is seemingly the most expensive service across the country. In the words of an official, it is probably the most expensive ‘luxurious transport service’.

The bus service was launched after 9/11 as a security measure by the then federal government after the entry of private vehicles was banned in the enclave. The visa seekers and visitors were asked to use the shuttle service. However, the service is still in place, forcing people to use it for their entry to the enclave.

Administration gives contractor last chance to comply with agreement

‘No need for such service’

“There should be no such service in place, why citizens are not allowed to enter the diplomatic enclave located in their own country without such service? There should be good security arrangements and after thorough inspection, the citizens should be allowed to enter on foot or via vehicles,” said an official.

The Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) awards a contract every three years to the highest bidder for the shuttle service. The current contract was awarded in 2020 for Rs102.6 million per year. The contract is supposed to be extended for a further two years.

According to the contract, the contractor is supposed to charge Rs500 per passenger per trip in air-conditioned coasters and Rs1,000 per passenger for a trip in a 1,3000cc vehicle. Last week, Chief Commissioner and CDA Chairman Anwarul Haq also took notice of this issue and reprimanded the DMA officials over complaints of overcharging.

He had directed the DMA director to ensure that the public was not fleeced. During the meeting, sources said that Mr Haq also quoted an unofficial complaint from a diplomat.

When contacted, a senior officer of DMA told Dawn that the department was already cognisant of the complaints. He said that a few days ago, a warning letter was sent to the contractor, informing them about the complaints.

According to a letter dated Sept 25 sent to the contractor, the MCI deputy director said it was regretted that repeated complaints were “being received by the authorities from the general public regarding overcharging”. It said the contractor was “given the last chance…to follow the terms and conditions of the agreement signed between you and the directorate of municipal administration. In future, if such complaints are received, the cancellations clause of the contract may be imposed.”

“Let me make it clear, we will not allow anyone to overcharge people. Within a few days, you will see action,” he claimed. “I know, someone from the embassy of a European country also informed our bosses about alleged overcharging, therefore, we are going to take action,” he said.

Meanwhile, sources said a few “tainted officials of DMA” have allegedly been supporting the bus service for the last many years. They said these officials always argued for the continuation of the said bus service as they enjoyed good relations with the contractors, at the expense of citizens who are charged heavily for a distance of hardly one kilometre.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2023