GARDEZ CITY (SW) – Some residents of Paktia say that Gardez city, center of this province lacks proper recreational places or parks where citizens can go for leisure activities on holidays and festive days.
They add that the lack of recreational areas in Gardez has led people to travel to remote districts of this province in such days.
Shafiullah, a resident of Paktia, says: “In the Garhwal park, the facilities are not usable, and there is no place for recreation. There are no suitable tools for children’s play; all the equipment you see is broken and damaged.”
Mohammadullah, another resident of Paktia, also says: “Recreational parks that exist in other provinces and receive attention are not in Paktia. A park or recreational area is a place where our youth and children go for recreation and change their minds; so parks should be suitable for enjoyment, for playing.”
On the other hand, Mustafa, a resident of Gardez, says that although two small recreational parks have been built in this city in recent years, due to the negligence of officials in maintaining them, the grass and equipment have been destroyed.
However, local officials in Paktia say efforts are being made to build a large recreational park with recreational facilities in Gardez in the near future.
Sawab Jan Islamyar, the head of Information and Culture Directorate in Paktia, says: “God willing, we assure you that discussions have been held on this matter and requests have been made; so in the near future, we will have a beautiful and large recreational park in Gardez. Although some recreational parks exist here, the people’s demand is that these parks are not sufficient for them.”
The absence of standard recreational parks is not only a problem in Paktia but also in most provinces, including Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, which hinders the satisfaction and recreation of citizens.
