Eidul Azha has been far from peaceful for the province’s inhabitants as at least 36 people were killed in separate incidents during the two days of Eid across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).
At least four people drowned in Kohat, Mardan and the Bajaur tribal district of the province.
On the second day of Eid, two boys drowned at the Tando Dam in Kohat. Rescue 1122 officials told The Express Tribune that the two unfortunate friends had gone to the dam for a picnic and lost their lives while bathing at the dam. Their dead bodies were retrieved and handed over to their families.
Similarly, a child drowned at the Zor Lakhti Dam in Bajaur. The dam is a popular picnic spot where locals had gathered for a party when the child went for a swim despite clear warnings against doing so.
Another boy drowned in the Takhatbai canal when he tried to beat the heat but instead lost his life.
It may be mentioned here that dozens of people are killed every year while trying to swim or bathe in rivers, streams and canals across the province without inviting any attention from the quarters concerned.
In all, 16 cases of drowning were reported to Rescue 1122 from different parts of the province.
Additionally, over 75 people were injured in firing incidents and 252 road accidents were reported. Emergency services were also provided in 34 bullet injury cases.
Mardan topped the list of deaths with 13 people being killed in incidents of violence and road accidents.
Rescue 1122 also handled 971 medical emergencies during the Eid holidays.
Zoo draws crowds of kids
On the third day of Eid, families with children thronged the Peshawar Zoo where they took a keen interest in wild animals.
Sixth Grade student and Wapda Town Peshawar resident Malaika Bibi, 10, was overwhelmed during her visit to the Peshawar Zoo, the province’s biggest, where wild animals are caged in a natural environment.
“Seeing wild animals including cobra snakes, lions, falcons and giraffes with my own eyes were a dream of mine. A big thank you to my papa for fulfilling my childhood dream today,” she said.
“I am very impressed to see rare wild animals being kept in a natural environment as well as the facilities available for visitors at the Peshawar Zoo,” she said.
Like Malaika, thousands of children visited the zoo with their families during the Eid holidays and took a keen interest in not only the giraffes, lions and cobra snakes but also in bears, pheasants, deer, cranes, reptiles, birds and parrots. The falcons’ cage, featuring three large brown and black eagles, also remained a centre of attraction for visitors.
The animals remained the centre of attraction for children, youth and families who had come from different districts across K-P to spend a few hours in the zoo’s relaxed environment.
They had arrived from places such as Khyber, Kohat, Nowshera, Charsadda, Mardan, Mohmand, Swabi, Peshawar and other K-P districts.
At the zoo’s entrance, large statues of an elephant and giraffe greet visitors and also attract the attention of passers-by on Rahatabad Road.
Established on 29 acres of land near the University of Peshawar, the zoo houses virtually all species of wild animals and birds found in the country in their natural habitats.
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