Keeping celebrators safe: Policemen spend Eid standing guard at check posts

Darul Atfal arranges barbeque for orphaned and abandoned children

PESHAWAR: Constable Faqeer Hussain could not spend Eid with his family this year. While his relatives and neighbours were enjoying the many flavours of the festival, Hussain stood guard outside a mosque in Kocha Risaldar, making sure his fellow citizens were safe.

Hussain is among the thousands of security personnel who spent Eid away from their homes, deployed at roads, check posts or police stations.



“Like everyone else we also wish to be home with our families but we sacrifice our happiness for the sake of the public,” Hussain told The Express Tribune.

He said policemen’s friends and family do get angry at them for being away on such an important occasion but they have no choice. “It is our duty and we must perform it,” said Hussain.

Speaking about the lavish feasts laid out on Eid, Hussain said policemen on duty have no such meals. “All restaurants are closed for the holidays and so we find it hard to find food. However, some officials do prepare food at police stations,” said Hussain.

“While others are busy barbecuing and enjoying banquets with their families, we perform our duty under the open sky and remain vigilant to ward off any untoward incident,” said Sub-Inspector Irfan Khan deployed on Ashraf Road.

“We have families too and our children miss us on Eid, but if we can help keep people safe on the occasion, we consider it our pleasure,” said Khan.



The policeman further said very few people greet them on Eid especially when they are on duty. “Most of us go unnoticed,” he added.

According to City SP Mustafa Tanveer, senior police officials do visit check posts to greet their juniors and distribute sweets among them.

Left behind

Eid was a festive affair for yet another segment of society which goes unnoticed – orphaned and abandoned children. Many such children are living in Darul Atfal in the provincial capital and although they yearn to spend Eid with their families at home, they are happy at the centre.

Seven-year-old Mahnoor, who has been living at the orphanage for the past several years with her three sisters, told The Express Tribune that she did not miss home. “I have nice friends here; we play games, watch cartoons and study together.”

She added her mother left her at Darul Atfal because she could not afford to take care of the children anymore. “My mother works as a maid and my father died years ago,” added Mahnoor.

Nine-year-old Imran who has been living at the centre for the past two years with his sister also said he did not miss home that much. “This place is good for me, but sometimes, I do miss my elder brother,” he said. “My mother came to see me on the first day of Eid but my father didn’t because he is in jail,” he added.

According to Yasmeen Bibi, the orphanage’s administration officer, 62 children live in Darul Atfal. “The abandoned children miss their parents while the orphans feel a sense of deprivation when they see other children going home with their parents,” she said, adding, “We provide all the facilities that we can, but we cannot fulfil the absence of parents.”

The administration arranged a barbecue for the children on Eid which made them forget the harsh realities of life for a few moments and be carefree children again.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2014.