Eidul Azha at hometowns? ‘Only’ three holidays disappoints settlers

• Some natives were expecting holidays from Tuesday till Friday

ISLAMABAD: With few days left in Eidul Azha, natives in the federal capital are planning to move to their hometowns on Friday (today) to celebrate the annual festival with their relatives and loved ones.

However, most of them showing disappointment after the announcement of ‘only’ three Eid holidays are thinking of taking leave of Monday and Friday to enjoy the long weekends in their hometowns which seems difficult for them to get.

Earlier, they were expecting the announcement of Eid holidays from Tuesday till Friday and thinking they will have to take one leave of Monday to get maximum joy of Eid. “It is difficult to get two leaves prior to the Eid holidays and afterwards one of these weekends will be surely wasted,” said Ahsan Saeed, a government official.

Earlier, “we have planned to move to our hometown in Khairpur, Sindh, on August 17 (Friday) and return on August 26 (Sunday) but now we are planning to move to the hometown on Monday evening after duty and will return on Sunday through taking leave of Friday,” he said.

“I wish the government may announce one more holiday on Friday so that we can club more weekend with already announced holidays and enjoy the happiness of Eid for more time,” said Farooq Ansari, an office-goer. The federal capital wear a deserted look on the occasions of Eid as most of the natives left for their hometowns.

Now, this trend is decreasing with the passage of time due to the busy schedule and more facilities in the cities. However, still there are many who prefer to celebrate this occasion with their families with whom they cannot interact throughout the year.

“Eid is the only occasion when I visit my family living in my native town. As my hometown is in the far-flung area of Balochistan and travel expenses of one person is more than 15,000 while it takes three-day to reach the destination,” he said.

In such situation, “three holidays are not enough for me to spend time with my family but there is no other option as my parents are anxiously waiting for me,” he said. Shagufta Shahid, a working woman, said that her children were very enthusiastic to spend 10-day vacation with their grandparents in their native town in Azad Jammu Kashmir and have planned many activities and gathering with their cousins.

Unfortunately, “my office management refused to give me an extra leave prior or after Eid holidays so I only have three-days for travel and celebrations. One day will be spent on handling sacrificial ritual and then there will be no time to meet my whole family,” she said. “My children are also disappointed with the new plan of having a short visit to see our family,” she said.