With Eidul Fitr knocking on the door, Islamabad slowly and gradually begins to look deserted as residents depart for their hometowns or other cities to celebrate Eid with their loved ones. Vehicles full of passengers can be seen departing from the Karachi Company, Pirwadhai, Faizabad and Soan terminals.
It is usual during these festivals to see this mass exodus of the people who live and work in the capital throughout the year but prefer to celebrate Eid with their families. Virtually everyone is preparing to leave or has already left for far flung areas or neighbouring cities.
Main markets, public places and other recreational points in the capital are less crowded now compared to a week ago. In contrast bus stands, railway stations and airports are teeming with travellers. Due to the unpopulated status of the city, police have a harder time ensuring security and residents often complain of theft upon returning.
Most people leave town for at least a week and during this period, locked homes without any additional security arrangements, such as guards or burglar alarms, face an increased risk of being broken into. Bilal Ahmed, a resident of G-8/2 told Pakistan Today, “We belong to Gujjar Khan but do not go there to celebrate Eid any longer as once when all of us left, our house was burgled in our absence and the thieves left nothing, so now we avoid leaving our house on Eid.” “Thieves don’t go home to celebrate Eid with their loved ones,” remarked one police official, who added that the police were on alert throughout the vacations to thwart any attempts by criminals.
The mass rush of people provides a great opportunity for the transporters to fleece commuters who have no choice but to pay fares that may at times be double the usual charge and this time is no different. “I pay Rs 150 for a one-way trip to Gujrat, but unfortunately the transporters are charging Rs 50 more than the usual fare,” complained Danish Kamran while waiting at the Karachi company bus terminal.
Similarly, several others pointed out the unwarranted rise in fares. “There has to be a check on this because I think this is nothing short of extracting money from us at gunpoint,” said another traveller Anila Bibi.
