As soon as the city weather became pleasant after the recent rains, people including women and children, thronged public places to make the most of the situation, Pakistan Today has learnt. Lahoris crowded parks such as the Racecourse Park, Bagh-e-Jinnah, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Jallo Park and Lahore Zoo. There were traffic jams in surrounding areas of these places, as people preferred staying outside. People were seen in a happy mood due to the pleasant weather, as the city was experiencing hot and sizzling weather for the last two weeks but the heavy downpours have changed the atmosphere. Public transport also witnessed a great boast due to the pleasant weather.
At the Lahore Zoo, around 15,000 people visited on Friday and spent time with their families while children enjoyed camel and elephant rides. Lahore Zoo Director Dr Zahid Iqbal Khan, talking to Pakistan Today, said, “We are trying our best to provide a neat and clean environment to visitors at a minimum cost and massive mass presence proves our efforts. Our staff also serves the visitors politely.” He said that low rates of tickets are attracting people to visit the zoo.
Lahore Zoo Accountant Muhammad Rehmat said that due to awesome weather, people tend to visit the zoo. He said that as compared to the last Friday, attendance increased three times. “It was a remarkable ratio,” he said. Citizen Kiran, 8, talking to Pakistan Today, said that she liked riding an elephant and her parents fulfilled the desire. Another visitor Muhammad Azeem said that atmosphere of the zoo is awesome due to the cool weather. “I and my friends enjoyed a lot and it was a memorable day for us,” he said adding that due to inflation, visiting the zoo is a cheap source of enjoyment and he along with his friends bought five tickets for only Rs 75.
Similarly, city parks also witnessed a huge rush. Hina, 12, at the Racecourse Park, said that she insisted her parents to come outside for picnic. “There is great load shedding these days but at least there is no need of electricity in parks,” she said. At the Bagh-e-Jinnah, student Javed Ahmed said that after the sizzling heat, rain is a blessing. He criticised the authorities for not managing affairs of the park properly. Baker Sheikh Babar said that these days when citizens suffer from shortages of electricity, gas, petrol, and other basic facilities, rain is a great blessing for all of us. Rickshaw driver Mehmood Akthar said that he had a busy day because of the public mood to enjoy the weather. “I got double passengers as compared to other days,” he said.
