People flock to parks, picnic spots

People headed to amusement parks across the twin cities as restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus have ended giving them a sense of liberty after a months-long lockdown.

Rush ov visitors was seen in all the small and big parks of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad including Ayub Park, Jinnah Park, Rumi Park, Allama Iqbal Park, Ladies Park, Lois Bher Park, Daman-e-Koh, Pir Sohawa, Shakarparian, Roase and Jasmine Garden and Shadra.

Murree was jam packed with visitors who were enjoying pleasant weather amid Independence Day celebrations.

There was a great crowd of people from morning till night roaming the roads of the two cities. Loud music was played in the parks and on the roads, and youth danced to the beat of drums and national songs.

The stall holders at parks took the chance to cover their losses for the past four months when their stalls were shut during Covid-19 lockdown. They arbitrarily increased the prices of food and cold drink prices, while the contractors increased the rates for swings including the all-time favourite dodgem-car, boat ride, electronic swings, and airgun shoot. The prices of local delights like lemon soda, chana chaat, dahi bhallay and french-fries were also increased.

Many urban families enjoyed a sunny day in the open with cookouts and barbecue. Children were seen playing cricket and football in the parks.

In Murree, where tourists were allowed recently after a four-month long lockdown, the streets and bazaars were decorated with great enthusiasm on Independence Day.

The largest flag hoisting ceremony will be held in front of the Assistant Commissioner's Office while colourful celebrations and programmes were being organised at various places in Murree on the occasion of Independence Day. Government and private buildings across the city have been specially decorated on this occasion. National flags are swaying everywhere and buildings were illuminated with colourful electric lights.

Crowds of tourists flocked to the Mall Road where it was even difficult to walk. At midnight, tourists and locals celebrated independence with fireworks, bugles and Pakistan Zindabad slogans. The atmosphere was resonance with slogans of 'Long live Pakistan'. The youths were doing bhangras. A spectacular displayed of fireworks was organized by political, social and business organizations which lit up the sky with colorful lights. National anthems began to be heard everywhere. Tourists coming to Murree to celebrate Independence Day are enjoying the beautiful weather and beautiful scenery.

Large Penaflex and banners have been were fixed by business organisations across the city in connection with the Independence Day celebrations.

Plant for Pakistan Day

Plant for Pakistan Day was also celebrated on the occasion of Independence Day celebrations. The district administration and the cantonment board of Rawalpindi planted trees during special functions at various places.

Rawalpindi Commissioner Muhammad Mahmood along with Deputy Commissioner Anwarul Haq, Station Commander Brigadier Aijaz Qamar Kiyani inaugurated Plant for Pakistan Day by planting trees at Nazar Chowk Rawalpindi.

Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan said that goals for making Pakistan have not been achieved yet instead of passing several decades. He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of Punjab Float fabricated by Punjab Council of the Arts, here in connection with Independence Day celebrations. “Our forefathers gave great sacrifices for the creation of Pakistan and Quaid-i-Azam made the dream of Allama Muhammad Iqbal a reaity,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2020.