ashif Ammar, a university student who went to the United States Embassy for his visa interview a few weeks ago, says that he had an unpleasant experience with the rather expensive Diplomatic Enclave Shuttle for the general entrants to the Diplomatic Enclave for the past several years.

“I paid Rs 3,000 for entry but the services were not up to the mark. The charges are very high. Nobody cares about visitors. The staff was indifferent,” says Ammar.

An inspection visit by the Capital Development Authority chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa to the service area revealed that Ammar’s concerns were grounded in reality.

Randhawa found the place in a state of disrepair and the cafeteria serving unhygienic food. The CDA chairman ordered both cafeterias sealed and directed the Islamabad Food Authority to test the quality of food. He also warned of legal action against the relevant authorities.

The shuttle takes citizens from outside the Diplomatic Enclave to various embassies in the high-security area. The service was launched after ‘war on terror’ began in the region in the backdrop of 9/11 attacks in New York. The service was initiated as a security measure after the government banned the entry of private vehicles into the enclave following some attacks and threats in the capital city.

However, the service, gradually turned into a lucrative business fleecing hundreds of citizens every day.

“The service has turned into exploitation of the visitors, mostly visa applicants approaching various embassies. It should have been abolished after the situation returned to normal. At least, the fare should have been reduced. A quality services should have been assured,” another visitor, Ahmad Ali, says. “The buses deployed on the route were not in a good condition,” he says.

Following the CDA chairman’s visit, for the time being, the Directorate of Municipal Administration assumed control of the shuttle service. The authority has also deployed a fleet of eight electric buses for the shuttle service. 

During the CDA chairman’s visit, people complained of overcharging against the designated fare 500 rupees per person for a round coaster ride and 1,000 rupees for a high-roof van.

A CDA official says the shuttle service contractor has already been warned against overcharging following past complaints. The last contract, according to some reports, was awarded in 2020. It raised Rs 102.6 million per year. The contract expired recently but the contractor has continued the service.

Some visitors complained of broken washrooms, foul odour, garbage piles and dirty stables in the vicinity. Some of the waiting rooms, they said, had iron beds instead of chairs and sofas.

The CDA chairman demanded an upgrade plan for the shuttle service to make it a modern facility. He assured citizens that the waiting area would soon be upgraded with better facilities.

Following the CDA chairman’s visit, the Directorate of Municipal Administration assumed control of the shuttle service. The authority has deployed a fleet of eight electric buses for the shuttle service.

The author is a staff reporter. He can be reached at vaqargillani@gmail.com. He tweets at @waqargillani