Eid brings out the crowd

ISLAMABAD: People of the twin cities thronged recreational spots to celebrate Eidul Azha. All the picnic spots and parks of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, including Daman-e-Koh, Pir Sohawa, Shakarparian, Lake View Park, Ayub Park, Nawaz Sharif Park and Fatima Jinnah Park amongst others, witnessed a huge rush of people on all three days of Eid.

Many families had also brought cooked food, while others prepared items for barbeque. Children could be seen enjoying the swings and playing games as the families relaxed on the open grass.

Muhammad Aslam, a visitor at Lake View Park, said he was busy in Eid activities on the first two days. “However, today I have come here with my family. I am having a lot of fun and the weather is also very pleasant. We plan to spend the whole day here,” he said.

Bilal Butt, who was leaving Fatima Jinnah Park with his family, said that after spending one day here, his family was planning to go to Murree. “I have come from Lahore due to the long Eid break. We have enough time to make the most of it,” he added.

Similarly, Adeel Khan was also visiting Lake View Park with his family. “I come here every Eid. I love boating and I am enjoying it a lot today,” he added.

However, some of the visitors in different picnic spots complained that the roadside vendors and owners of fast food dhaabas (shops) at these places were charging exorbitant rates for their items. They said that the rates had been increased overnight to multiply profits.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20^th, 2010.