Festive atmosphere: Huge crowds throng capital’s parks on Eid

Residents of capital’s outskirts, Rawalpindi demand more parks

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD:

A number of residents of the twin cities as well as people from nearby areas thronged public parks and picnic spots in the federal capital during the Eid holidays.

Islamabad is usually a quiet place during public holidays as most residents head back to their hometowns to celebrate Eid. Overtime, with an increase in the population of the twin cities, public places in the federal capital have started to witness a relative buzz.  This is also due to relative dearth of presence of recreational spots in towns around the capital.



Visitors, mostly families, thronged popular spots such as Lake View Park, Shakarparian, Marghazar Zoo, Daman-e-Koh, Jasmine Garden, Japanese Children Park, among other places.

The first day of Eid is usually spent chasing butchers who are willing to slaughter the cattle without proverbially fleecing the person. Then begins the meeting and greeting of relatives and friends.

A number of people take time out to visit public places. During the holidays, one could see children enjoying themselves in public parks and families setting up barbeque grills.



A number of families were also upset over the lack of facilities at public parks and high prices of edibles at the canteens and cafeteria at various picnic spots.

In the capital, Shakarparian and the National Monument remained busy spots followed by Fatima Jinnah Park, Rawal Lake View Park, Daman-e-Koh and Faisal Mosque, where thousands of people including men, women and children enjoyed the holiday.

Rain on the second day of Eid turned the weather pleasant in the twin cities, which was an added incentive for the people to visit parks and other public places. A large number of people were also seen travelling towards Murree.

The city zoo and the adjacent children’s park also attracted a large number of people especially families.

Residents of Rawalpindi had to travel a fair distance to reach various gardens. They demanded of the government to ensure availability of recreational facilities in their localities so that they do not have to travel all the way to Islamabad every time there is a long holiday.

Special security arrangements were also made outside the parks for the safety of visitors.

Prayers

In Islamabad, the main Eid congregation was held at Faisal Mosque where diplomats of various countries, government officials and people from all walks of life offered Eid prayers.

In Rawalpindi, the main Eid congregation was held in Jamia Masjid while residents offered prayers and sacrificed animals to commemorate the religious sacrifice.



Eid congregations were also held at mosques, eidgahs, imambargas and open places in all cities, towns, and villages of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The main Eid congregation in the state was held at Markazi Eidgah in Muzaffarabad.

Tummy trouble

With every Eidul Azha come cases of overeating and the resulting trips to the hospital. This year, as many as 560 patients of gastro were treated at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences during the Eid holidays.

The officials at the hospital confirmed that 475 patients also came in after suffering injuries in motorcycle accidents in the emergency ward. Out of them, three were said to be critically injured and are still being treated.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2015.