Recreation continued to be the top agenda on the third day of Eidul Fitr for the federal capital’s inhabitants and many used the respite from their busy routines to go out with their families, spend the time relaxing and in leisure activities.
The recreational spots of the twin cities remained the most popular attraction for most people who sought to take full advantage of the four-day Eid holidays and thronged in large numbers to parks and playgrounds and the National Monument.
Lakeview Park, Daman-e-Koh, Pir Sohawa, Jasmine Gardens, Fatima Jinnah Park, Capital Zoo, Japanese Park, Nawaz Sharif Park, Rawalpindi Safari Park, Race Course, Jinnah Park and other picnic spots were packed with people partaking in the Eid festivities.
Every year, a large number of people visit Lake View Park to celebrate Eid holidays. This year was no exception as the park, being equipped with modern facilities, witnessed hundreds of visitors on Saturday, and seemed to be most popular amongst families with children.
Interestingly, despite skyrocketing inflation many people managed to make arrangements for their children to celebrate Eid with much joy in parks.
“I used my savings to provide my kids with the opportunity to enjoy this Eid’s joys in this park… this trip will cost me Rs 1,500 but I will happily bear it for the happiness of my children,” said a gardener Rashid Khan, who had brought his family to the Lake View Park from G/9 Markaz to celebrate Eid. He said there was little public transport plying this route. He urged the Capital Development Authority (CDA) high-ups to start a special bus service for the residents of Islamabad, enabling them to reach recreational spots on Eid. At the Lake View Park children were seen enjoying themselves, especially at the swings. Visitors were also seen taking pictures to capture the memorable time.
Most children also visited Marghazar Zoo and play land. Muhammad Faisal, a CDA official working at the zoo, told Pakistan Today that during the ongoing Eid holidays more than 25,000 people had visited the zoo.
The cab drivers of the twin cities took full advantage of the absence of any system imposed by the authorities to fix fares and charged rates up to a 100 percent higher than the usual fares.
“Eid comes only once a year and yet we must serve the people by sacrificing the time spent with our own families and children… so if we charge slightly higher fares than usual, it is not a big issue,” said Rafique Ahmed, a taxi driver.
During the visiting hours at these recreational spots, it was also witnessed that stall holders overcharged the visitors.
The visitors seemed helpless before the profiteers while the authorities seemed least interested in curbing this practise. The rates of soft drinks, mineral water, coffee and tea were higher than market prices at virtually all recreational spots in the federal capital. People demanded the authorities concerned to take action against the profiteers.
