Friday, November 06, 2009
Bureau report
PESHAWAR: Parks in the provincial metropolis wear a deserted look as repeated bombings in the city have dealt a severe blow to recreational activities.
The provincial metropolis has several parks such as Bagh-e-Naran, Tatara Park, Khyber Park, Kernal Sher Khan Shaheed Stadium (aka Army Stadium), Garrison Park, Chacha Younas Park, Shahi Bagh and Wazir Bagh.
Muhammad Aftab, while strolling in Bagh-e-Naran, told The News: “I along with my family used to visit this park for refreshment and a walk in the evening, but now my family avoids coming here because of fear of suicide attacks.”
An elderly man, Nawab Ali, said he was facing hearing problem and the doctor had advised him to have at least two-kilometre walk daily. He said that he was, however, now afraid of bombings during a walk.
In Tatara Park, 10-year-old Tahir Ali, with a weight machine, was asking the visitors to check their weight, as it was the only source of income for his family. But hardly could he find any customer from whom he could earn a few rupees. He said people who used to visit the park in the posh Hayatabad area had now stopped visiting the place.
“Now few visitors come here. My source of income has also been affected and I find it difficult to fulfil the needs of my family,” Tahir said, adding that when the situation was stable in the city he would earn Rs300-400 a day, but now he hardly made Rs80-100. Rasool Shah, the games operator at the park, said almost 99 per cent people were now reluctant to visit the park, as everyone was scared of terrorist attacks.
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ISSN 1563-9479 
