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Gulberg residents criticise waste of resources for IMAX theatre

* Previous government spent approximately Rs 150 million on the project
* Local resident says people thrashed her son to deter her from ‘playing politics’
* Gulberg Town TMO says meeting on future of ‘park’ land to be held soon

By Afnan Khan

LAHORE: Residents of Gulberg are criticising the extensive waste of resources resulting from the conflicting action between governments regarding the construction of an IMAX theatre on MM Alam Road.

The previous government spent approximately Rs 150 million on the development of the Dungi Ground near Gulberg Mini Market. The residents of the area had initially protested against the government’s decision to convert a public park into a theatre when alternative sites were available.

The current government has halted the project and intends to dissolve the Punjab Entertainment Company (PEC), which had been established to run the theatre.

A resident who had tried to take legal action against the development of the IMAX theatre in front of her house said that her petition was based on two points; that it was a horrible idea to build a cinema to replace a public park; and that the development of this project could become a permanent nuisance for nearby residents.

Thrashing: “I tried to halt the development of the project by taking legal action against the people building the theatre on a public ground. I was preparing a meal at my house when several men barged into my house and thrashed my son. They warned me that they would not leave my family in peace if I didn’t stop ‘playing politics’,” the resident said.

She said that she learnt to deal with whatever nuisances would be caused to her by the IMAX from that incident, adding that the current government should re-establish the public park and expose the faces behind the wastage of enormous public resources. A Saint Mary’s School official said that the development project has changed the locality’s entire look, adding that it caused a lot of trouble for students as they were trying to study but could not because of the noise caused by the construction work.

The teacher said that just terminating the project was not enough, adding that someone should be held answerable for the waste of the country’s resources and trouble to the residents.

Meeting: Gulberg Town Town Municipal Officer (TMO) Sultan Mehmood said that that a meeting would be held soon to decide what should be done with the property. He said that the Gulberg Town Administration was aware of the residents’ demand of the ground’s restoration, however, he could not announce anything regarding the issue before the meeting.

Mehmood said that the town administration was not the competent authority to probe into the wastage of resources, adding that the authorities concerned could comment on the issue.

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