Authorities fail to deter rodents from Alhamra.

LAHORE -- Alhamra, the cultural capital of Lahore, is overrun with rats, which can be seen racing through Alhamra's cafe, halls, art gallery, and administration offices.

Many cafe and hall visitors have complained about the rodents scurrying around and feeding on leftovers. However, the Alhamra administration has never tried to put in any effort to eradicate the vermin. Though the animal can be seen roaming freely on the complex, the backside of the cafe is the safest haven for the eyesore. The area is used for various functions, such as music concerts, seminars, literary conferences, and theatrical activities.

Many Alhamra employees informed Dawn, on the condition of anonymity, that the rat menace has existed for years and that their presence has now outnumbered the human presence. The largest rats' habitat is discovered behind the cafe, in the back area; the rats are so overweight that they crawl with difficulty.

The nearby Alhamra Unplugged Studio and the Alhamra Academy of Performing Art classes are also infested with rodent residents; when students take dancing lessons, rats also come to watch them as rainwater and drain water frequently accumulate due to drainage concerns.

According to sources, rats blight the...