Thousand throng parks despite scorching weather

Vendors make windfall profits from sale of traditional snacks

RAWALPINDI: The Eid fun-time is expected to last over the weekend as thousands of fun lovers from the twin cities thronged to the parks of the garrison city on Saturday. The crowd included women and children seeking outdoor entertainment.

Even the extremely hot weather could not stop the citizens from flocking to numerous parks like Public Park Rawalpindi commonly known Nawaz Sharif Park, Ayub National Park, Family Park, Commercial markets, Satellite Town Rawalpindi, Jinnah Park and Shahbaz Sharif Park.

The families visiting the parks of the city complained that over charging, sale of substandard food items and non-availability of quality products are a major cause of concern.

The vendors also took full advantage of the situation as the concerned authorities failed to control the quality and rates of the commodities being sold there. There was no check and balance in this regard and the shopkeepers were given a free hand. The rates of chips, biscuits, burgers, soft drinks, mineral water and other items were almost double in the parks of the twin cities as compared to open markets.

Karachi feels the heat

The stalls selling desi sag, butter, makai roti and lassi in Ayubia Park remained a center of attraction for visitors.

The capital police have made elaborate security arrangements with deploying around 1,000 personnel to safeguard different picnic points of the Capital to avoid any untoward incident.

According to a police spokesman, as per the directives of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar Khan, foolproof security arrangements were in place to facilitate citizens visiting amusement resorts along with their families.Under the arrangements, special patrolling has been advised at all the picnic spots to give a sense of security to the picnickers so that they could fully enjoy without any fear.

The police officials had been deployed at Lake View Park, Shakarparian Monument,  Daman-e-Koh,Chattar Park Rose and Jasmine garden.

Meanwhile, DIG (Operations) Waqar Uddin Syed has also instructed the police officers concerned to be vigilant and keep strict checking at all exit and entry points of the Capital.He directed the police officials to deal citizen with respect and facilitate and guide the tourists coming from others cities.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 9^th, 2019.