Lalazar: A Forgotten Jewel of Rawalpindi Chaklala Cantonment
For nearly five decades, I have called Lalazar my home. I was born in this very house on Aslam Shaheed Road and have witnessed the evolution of this once-beautiful locality. Lalazar was known for its cleanliness, serenity, and charm—a proud part of the Rawalpindi Cantonment area. It stood shoulder to shoulder with other top-tier neighborhoods like Westridge, Scheme 3, and Gulistan Colony.
Back then, we used to say with pride that Lalazar was one of the best places to live. The roads were smooth, the environment was clean, and there was a sense of dignity in residing in a cantonment area that was well-managed and respected. Sadly, that pride has now turned into frustration, disappointment, and even embarrassment.
The decline
Today, Lalazar tells a very different story. The roads are broken, riddled with potholes, and no longer safe for vehicles. Speed breakers, once helpful, are now shattered and hazardous. Garbage is dumped in open spaces, and sanitation has become a forgotten concept. One has to wonder: where is the Cantonment Board? Has it given up on this once-prominent neighborhood?
The Cantonment Board of Rawalpindi and Chaklala is a large institution with thousands of employees. Yet, when it comes to Lalazar, it appears to be absent
The deterioration is visible everywhere—from the cracked pavements to the piles of uncollected garbage. The infrastructure is falling apart, and the beauty that once defined Lalazar has disappeared.
An embarrassment to residents
It has reached a point where living in Lalazar feels like a burden rather than a privilege. Families are choosing to relocate to better-managed areas like Bahria Town and DHA, where roads are maintained, cleanliness is a priority, and civic life is dignified. Residents of Lalazar are left to deal with filth, neglect, and a complete lack of administrative attention.
For someone who has lived here for 48 years, this decline is more than just disappointing. It is heartbreaking. I never imagined a day would come when I’d consider selling my house just to escape the embarrassment of living in a crumbling neighborhood.
Where is the Cantonment Board?
The Cantonment Board of Rawalpindi and Chaklala is a large institution with thousands of employees. It is responsible for ensuring the maintenance and welfare of the cantonment areas. Yet, when it comes to Lalazar, it appears to be absent. One must ask: what is the purpose of such an institution if it cannot maintain its basic infrastructure?
We are living in the 21st century, and yet Lalazar looks like a forgotten patch of land. The roads, the speed breakers, the street cleanliness—everything has fallen apart. The silence and inaction of the authorities speak louder than any promise or policy.
A plea for revival ?
This is a sincere appeal to the Chief Executive Officer of the Cantonment Board and other concerned authorities: Please do not ignore Lalazar. The residents are still here, holding on to memories of better days and hoping for a revival that may never come unless someone takes responsibility.
We urge the Cantonment Board to:
Repair the roads and reconstruct damaged speed breakers
Implement a consistent waste management system to restore cleanliness.
Raise civic awareness so that the community also plays its role in maintaining hygiene and order.
Allocate proper funds and manpower to ensure regular maintenance.
Lalazar was once the pride of Rawalpindi Cantonment. It can be that again but only if immediate, sincere efforts are made. This area deserves more than neglect. It deserves respect, attention, and investment.
Let us not wait until every resident has packed up and moved away. Let us act now to restore the beauty and dignity of Lalazar for the sake of its history, its community, and its future.