Kohsar Market outsmarts all major markets of city.

Byline: kasim abbasi

ISLAMABAD -- Kohsar Market: the oldest market of the capital: still pleases and attracts the elite section of our society and offers services which outsmart all other major markets of the city.

The market looks more festive with all the greenery and lined-up restaurants providing sitting areas in front of them with canopies giving shade and adding more beauty to the area.

In addition, the market is closest to the red zone of the capital and at the same time situated in the area where every house belongs to either top members of the civil bureaucracy or diplomats.

This adds up to the level of security needed in the area where Rangers are always seen patrolling on one side of the market and a police checkpost is present on the other side making the area safer and under surveillance all the time.

Because of being closer to the Parliament and the federal secretariat, Kohsar Market even attracts many politicians and bureaucrats. Over the years, it has emerged as the best place for socialising of our political and bureaucratic elite. Known faces from media and businessmen are also seen quite often here.

While talking with The Nation, Muhammad Nouman Zamir, manager at one of the restaurants in the market, claimed that the market greets almost every member of the Parliament. He stated that it was very hard to recall the last day when he had not seen any politician or bureaucrat coming in the market.

The manager also believed that owing to the cool temperature and charming environment, these public figures were attracted to this particular market. He claimed that due to the greenery and canopies, the area remained cooler in summers and pleasant in winters with folded canopies allowing customers to enjoy the shining sun.

Moving forward in search of more views about the market, this correspondent went to a grocery store and talked to its owner regarding the subject. Muhammad Hameed, the owner of the store said that what the restaurants present here happens nowhere else in Islamabad and were among the best. In addition, he also said that the better facilities and food were also the reason for higher rates.

'The outclass food and the service provided by these restaurants are not found anywhere else in Islamabad. This is the reason why the bills here are also higher than the rest,' said Hameed.

When asked if the market attracts only the elite sector of our...