islamabad
Fun seekers including women and children thronged the parks of the twin cities during Eid holidays.
After Eid prayers, the faithful slaughtered cows, goats, rams and sheep to commemorate the Sunnah of Prophet Hazrat Ibrahim (AS). The process continued till third day of Eid (Wednesday). People slaughtered animals and then distributed the meat among the deserving people and their relatives.
This year, three Eid holidays combined with weekly holidays of Saturday and Sunday offered a recreational opportunity to the citizens. Having spent the first day of Eid hectic in searching for the butcher, getting the sacrificial animal slaughtered and distribution of meat, besides meeting and greeting people all around, the citizens were seen flocking to numerous public parks, especially Nawaz Sharif Park, Ayub National Park, Family Park Commercial Market and Jinnah Park, on the second and third day of Eid.
The reason behind fun making at the parks was that the school children were free and fully enjoying Eid holidays, as all the schools would open again on Thursday (today) after five days break. However, the people were complaining about lack of facilities at the parks and high rates of edibles at canteens and cafeteria. They were also irritated while paying extra money for parking facilities at the parks. They were of the view that the government should ensure entry to all the parks with parking facilities at reasonable rates besides the prices of all items available in the canteens etc. should be checked and controlled.
In the federal capital, Shakarparian and the National Monument were busy resorts after Fatima Jinnah Park (F-9 park), Lake View Park, Daman-e-Koh and Faisal Mosque where people including men, women and children visited and enjoyed the Eid.
Lake View Park in the federal capital is a beautiful addition in tourists’ resorts of twin cities which was beautified and restored in the recent past. It was another place of attraction for the people of the twin cities specially the children and youth.
A large number of people were also seen travelling towards Murree Hills and adjoining areas. The parks in Rawalpindi were specially decorated to make them attractive for the visitors.
The families visiting the parks of the city complained about over-charging, sale of substandard food items and non-availability of quality products. The vendors take full benefit to the situation as the concerned authorities failed to control the quality and rates of the commodities.
Special security arrangements were also seen outside the parks for the protection of the visitors. The public transporters including taxi drivers fleeced the people and charged fares at their own will.
Meanwhile, public parks, open air spaces and hill sides in the federal capital witnessed rush of families and youngsters on second and third days of Eid-ul-Azha, celebrating the festival with barbecue parties. The parties that filled the air with smoked aroma of grilled food are considered to be a perfect way to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha, as meat of different varieties is easily available to everyone. Youngsters arranged special barbecue parties on rooftops, green lawns and open air places as well other picnic spots, for their friends and family members.
Naseem Khan, a university student, said such parties not only gave them an opportunity to enjoy Eid with loved-ones, but also provided a chance to taste different dishes made of the sacrificial meat. “Holidays along with the pleasant weather have added charm to Eid festivities as I can enjoy delicious meat dishes with my family and friends,” he said.
“Smelling the aroma of bar-be-cue, I just cannot stop myself from eating meat dishes. I have a great time when all family members, relatives and friends enjoy food and gossip on Eid,” said Khurram Shehzad Bhatti, enjoying at a bar-be-cue party. Eid-ul-Azha comes once a year and the tradition of sharing meat with neighbours and the needy gives everyone a chance to eat and serve guests, she said.