As CNG and petrol prices sky-rocket, snowfall at Pir Sohawa, after a gap of six years, came as good news for the Islamabad and Rawalpindi dwellers, who rushed in great numbers to the spot on Saturday.
The residents of the twin cities visit Murree in every winter to witness snowfall, however snowfall started on Friday at the top of the Margalla hills and continued on Saturday, attracting a large number of visitors to the hills. A thick blanket of snow, of about two inches, over the top of the Margalla gave a spectacular looks to the area.
As Pir Sohawa is small village located in Haripur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, at an elevation of about 5,000 feet, a large number of Pashtoon people also reached the spot to enjoy the snowfall. As they sang and danced to Pashto songs, all visitors to Pir Sohawa were thoroughly entertained. “It’s a winter gift for us and we want to make it a special moment of our life,” said Jamil Khan, a visitor from a nearby village of KPK.
After crossing the Hazara Check Post, the entire area was covered with a thick blanket of snow. Students, government employees and businessmen of the twin cities, who were unable to visit far-flung hilly areas due to their busy routines, were able to enjoy the weather in their hometown on the weekend.
“It becomes difficult for me to visit Murree or other such places which are far from here but when I heard the news of snowfall in my own city, I could not remain trapped in my business and came here with my wife to enjoy the snowfall,” said Irshad, who runs a garment shop in the Blue Area. Many families like Irshad’s enjoyed the weather, throwing snowballs at each other, while the owners of small restaurants in the area benefited from the weather as well. The restaurants were packed with visitors enjoying tea in the cold weather. Fahad, a restaurant owner, said, “Today, most of my customers are here for tea so I have not cooked many dishes for lunch.”
The joy of the weather was marred to some extent by the traffic mess as long queues of cars on the road leading to Pir Sohawa were witnessed. A large number of people headed to Pir Sohawa on motorbikes also. Usman Iqbal, a Punjab College student, said, “We have to spend around Rs 500 to visit Murree just for the sake of enjoying snowfall but it cost us only Rs 80 to enjoy snowfall in our own city.”
Pakistan Metrological Department Director General Arif Mahmood said that snowfall close to the capital city, in Pir Sohawa, was witnessed after a gap of six years, adding that the snowfall would continue until Saturday night with intervals. He said that the weather would be clear on Sunday (today), adding that the intensity of the cold weather would increase after the rains.
Islamabad receives snowfall after 6 years
