An Eid with empty parks in Islamabad

Covid-19 forced people to seek recreation outside Islamabad and Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD: From taking some time off to hanging out with loved ones, there are a lot of reasons to look forward to Eidul Fitr everywhere. The country’s business community, however, usually has the additional benefit of enjoying a profits bonanza. This is especially true for the owners and operators of recreational joints, like public parks and the various stalls that dot them.

This year, the novel coronavirus pandemic has robbed them of that yearly financial windfall. In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the owners of such facilities have been left in dire straits as Covid-19 concerns prompted their usual customers to seek recreation outside of the city. Already reeling due to the weeks-long lockdown imposed to limit the spread of the virus, they are now urging the government for some form of relief in order to stay afloat.

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“The stalls and rides in Japan Park used to packed with people constantly over the last 15 years,” recounted Hasnain Gilani, who owns an electric swing in the park. “This is the first time I have seen a situation this bad.”

“I have seen no one visit the park in over 50 days. But I am still expected to pay my monthly rent to the Capital Development Authority,” he complained. “I am told the situation is the same, be it Daman-e-Koh, Chinar Park or Lake View Park. The government needs to announce a relief package for us as soon as possible. Because things will be extremely dire for us otherwise,” he added.

Restrictions on malls and other popular entertainment venues, and fears of catching Covid-19 from crowds were major factors in pushing crowds outside of the twin cities. Instead of flocking to the usual places, like the aforementioned parks and popular restaurants, many residents set their sites elsewhere for Eid.

Murree emerged as one popular destination, as did the banks of Jhelum river and streams in Chakwal, Kotli Sattiyan, Angori, Kalar Syedan and Dhan Gali etc –  all of them some 50 kilometres away from Islamabad. Instead of their usual entertainment, the visitors sought to spend time in nature and threw picnics.

“For me at least, the lockdown and restrictions have been a blessing,” said Rawalpindi resident Faheem Shah, who spent the Eid holiday with a picnic on the bank of Jhelum river with his family. “It has opened my eyes to the other recreational destinations I had often overlooked. The only downside is you have to come prepared, with food and drinks, because there are no facilities here.”

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Muhammad Bilal, who spent Eid camping along the bank a stream emanating from Khanpur Dam with his group of friends, shared that the natural ambiance refreshed him quite a bit. “The government should develop these sites. They would be able to attract more tourists and relieve some of the usual rush from popular sites when things return to normal,” he said.

Some visitors, however, still expressed sympathy for the owners and operators of parks and other small businesses in the twin cities.

“There seems to be no government policy. Everyone is engaged in politics,” said Shoaib Anwar. “Decisions for the future need to be taken now and should provide immediate relief to those affected.”

Faisal Zaman also noted that if parks were forced to close down, it would have serious ramifications on the health of children. “Children were deprived of physical amusement this Eid. The lack of cheap entertainment will negatively affect children’s health,” he said. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2020.