Entertainment avenue: In Peshawar, parks bustling with visitors

After a hot and humid Ramazan, families rejoice in the pleasant weather.

PESHAWAR: Life is returning back to normal in the provincial metropolis with the end of the fasting month and start of monsoon rains. To break away from the humdrum of routine, scores of families are visiting different parks in Peshawar. The pleasant weather and intermittent rains provide an added attraction to the visitors, especially after a hot and humid Ramazan.

This is a positive change after terrorist activities had brought all social and business activities to a standstill during the last few years. Frequent bomb blasts claimed hundreds of lives, injuring others.

“Everyone was too afraid to step out. They preferred offering prayers at home rather than going to a mosque. The situation has somewhat improved now,” said Muhammad Sajjad, a resident of Hayatabad, who was enjoying with his family at Tatara Park. He remarked that earlier on, bomb blasts were a routine matter.

There were crowds of visitors at other places such as Baghi Naran, Ghani Family Park, Chacha Younus Park, Army Stadium, Jinnah Park and Parda Bagh. Some people had come from other parts of the province to enjoy the good weather and the laid-back atmosphere.

“It’s very relaxing to be here. We have spent many nights camping at this park, even though our friend advised us against coming here for fear of any untoward situation,” Salman Khan of Timergara, Lower Dir, said who had come to Peshawar with his friends.

Though initially apprehensive, Ibrar Ali was also enjoying with his family at Jinnah Park. “We’re here to celebrate the Eid holidays on my son’s insistence,” he added.

“At least 15,000 people have been visiting this park since Eid,” said Khwaja Muhammad, a security officer at Chacha Younas Park. The park is meant for only families, he added.

About the security, he said the relevant department has arranged for the safety of the visitors.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th, 2012.