Holidays provide much-needed recreation

Residents from suburban areas also visited parks, zoo in Lahore

LAHORE: Parks of the city usually wear a deserted look, but were chock-a-block full with children during Eid holidays. The kids were out in full force, taking to recreational spots with their parents to get some outdoor time after the hot days kept them indoors for most of the time.

Locals from suburban areas also thronged parks and recreational places in the provincial capital. A number of families had brought along their homemade food to have a picnic in the park.

At the parks, children enjoyed swings, rides, played various games and ate the food of their choice. Special security arrangements were made outside the parks for the safety of visitors.

Some parents were unhappy with the vendors charging excessively. Muhammad Sadaqat, a vendor, said that people like him were trying to make the most of Eid holidays. Sajjad Ahmed, another person present at the park, agreed that it was the right of vendors to earn some extra bucks during this religious festival.

Two younger visitors, Arisha and Hasham, said they were having a great time on the swings and had no intention of leaving. “We want to spend more time in the park, but our mom is asking us to go home,” Arisha said sadly.

Some children were busy playing, while others were trying to save their money. Muhammad Asghar, who had come to Nawaz Sharif Park along with his four children, asked the kids to spend their eidi on their recreation. The kids, however, were in no mood to part with their money and insisted that the father buys the food.



The largest crowd was seen at Gulshan Iqbal Park where people stood in long queues to buy tickets. Despite the instructions given by Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA) to contractors of canteens, there were complaints of overcharging at Jillani Park, Gulshan Iqbal Park, Greater Iqbal Park and Lawrence Garden.

A large number of police and security guards were deployed to provide security to visitors. PHA Chairman Yasir Gillani visited the parks on the second day of Eid and exchanged greetings with security staff and appreciated their services. “We have tried to provide the best security arrangements at the parks,” he said.

Gillani spoke to visitors and asked them if they were satisfied with the facilities. He also visited all canteens and reviewed the rate lists and quality of food. He appreciated the police and rescue staff deployed at the park for their greater sense of duty. He reviewed monitoring arrangements through CCTV cameras and hailed the collaboration of police and rescue workers.

“My joy on Eid has doubled thanks to the positive public response,” said Gillani. He also spent three hours at the Greater Iqbal Park.

Extraordinary rush at Lahore Zoo

There was an extraordinary rush of families at Lahore Zoo, Bagh-e-Jinnah, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, Model Town Linear Park, Minar-e-Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif Park, Racecourse Pakr, Shalamar Garden, Lahore Museum and Greater Iqbal Park, despite the hot weather. Women and children were out in full force, taking selfies with animals and birds.

According to an estimate, in excess of 50,000 people visited the zoo on the third day of Eid. More were expected to throng the recreational facility over the next two days.

Lahore Zoo Director Ali Sukhera said that more than 75,000 people visited on the first and second days of Eid despite the sizzling hot weather. “We are providing special security to visitors. Security guards have been deployed at different places, while a temporary canteen has also been set up to facilitate the visitors.”

On the third day of Eid, a lot of people also visited the zoo from Kasur, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Okara, and Kamoke. Children were seen enjoying the camel and horse rides. They also took pictures with various animals and birds which remained rather inactive due to the hot weather.

Cinemas and play lands were also jam packed, while ice cream parlours, fast food restaurants and other eating spots witnessed an extraordinary number of diners.  Mall Road, MM Alam Road, Fortress Stadium and many other city areas witnessed traffic jams.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2019.