Picnic spots in Islamabad witnessed traditional festivity on the second and third days of Eid, as people made the best use of Eid holidays enjoying them at recreational spots despite inflation and terror threats.
Due to Eid holidays till Sunday, people had ample time to exchange greetings and share gifts with their relatives on the first day of Eid, while on second and third days (Thursday and Friday), children in particular, forced their parents to go to picnic spots and restaurants.
After spending the first day of Eid meeting relatives, scores of people descended on recreational sites. People visited Fatima Jinnah Park, Marghazar Zoo, Rawal Lake and Lake View Park, Damane Koh, Pir Sohawa, National Monument, Shadara and other such places while a number of people also went to Shakarprain hills to visit the heritage museum there.
Weather became pleasant on Thursday and people who had opted to spend their holidays in the capital flocked to Pir Sohawa, Shakarparian, Rose and Jasmine Garden, and Murree.
On the occasion, parking lots at picnic spots were filled to their capacity and long queues of vehicles were seen, with drivers impatiently waiting to find a place to park.
Similarly, roads leading to these spots were choked with traffic. Groups of young boys riding motorbikes were a traffic nuisance, causing frequent traffic jams and disrupting the flow of traffic. Riding in groups, these boys almost terrorised motorists, especially those travelling with families.
An official of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) said more than 100,000 people visited the Lakeview Park on Thursday and Friday, and the parking lots could not accommodate the large number of cars, motorcycles and other vehicles.
“It feels very nice to come here. We are enjoying Eid holidays and this is a fantastic place,” said Maira Shakil, a girl who came to Islamabad from Lahore to spend Eid at her grandparent’s house. “Eid comes once a year and this time we intend to go out daily during the Eid holidays,” she said.
Like children, most parents, particularly government servants, also wanted some respite from their monotonous office lifestyles. Some people went as far as Bhurban and Murree.
Zainab Moazzam came to the capital from Gujranwala to enjoy her Eid holidays. She said the Pakistan Monument was an ideal spot for a picnic, as it overlooked the entire city. “The view is breathtaking and the wind blows gently here. It’s awesome,” she said. The zoo and its adjacent children’s park pulled large crowds. Parking lots at Damane Koh and Pir Sohawa also fell short of space.
Samina Shakil, who came to Islamabad from Lahore, said there was no match to Pir Sohawa because of its refreshing environment and scenic beauty.
Many people opted for Murree, a traditional haunt. Rukhsana Pervaiz said she always visited Murree in the holidays and this time she was with her whole family of four children.
Though Islamabad Traffic Police had made adequate arrangements to prevent youngsters from performing stunts, many adventurers managed to get past the check-posts and special pickets to enjoy their styles of biking.
At public parks, stallholders selling snacks, tea and soft drinks made good business, as did fast food outlets and restaurants. “We are enjoying Eid days by visiting a number of picnic spots. The only thing that perturbs us is the rates of edible items, as they are almost triple the normal rates on Eid,” Talha Shakil said, adding that there was neither any check on rates of items, nor were authorities checking whether vendors were selling sub-standard food items.
Like the picnic spots, major food courts in the capital also enjoyed heavy traffic, as customers flocked to eateries. Almost all the restaurants were filled to the capacity, while the festive looks were more visible at the food streets of Melody, Islamabad and Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi.
“People are happy and enjoying themselves, the best thing is that there has not been any untoward incident in the area recently,” said the manager of a restaurant in Melody food street.
Many people visited small parks located near their residences while others visited the graves of their relatives and recited fatiha for them. “Eid is the biggest annual religious festival, a day about gratitude, happiness, sharing and celebration. My father lost his life due to cancer in 2008, and without him I have not enjoyed a single moment of my life but visiting him here restores my faith, somehow. May God bless his soul in eternal peace,” said Maryam, a young girl at H/11 graveyard.
There were others who did not celebrate Eid or go out because of family tragedies. “My brother is behind bars on charges of embezzlement. This is my first Eid without him. So I came here to the jail with flowers to greet my brother,” said Sumaira Zahid, standing outside Adiyala Jail.
