By Jamila Achakzai
The situation is not new to him. “It is not unusual for me that I’ll be at work during Eid days too. On special occasions including Eid and during emergencies, our holidays are cancelled, and my family and I are always mentally prepared for it,” he said.
Ali is in the police department by choice and thus, has no regrets about spending most of the Eids away from his family, especially his children. “The profession we are in is of a sensitive nature and requires a lot from us. But at the end of the day, we’re happy that our little sacrifices help people enjoy every moment of the festive occasions,” he said.
Despite being strongly committed to his professional obligations, the policeman misses his family a lot on Eid. “Like other policemen, I have a strong wish to be with my parents, wife and not the least, two little girls and one boy, on Eid. But since this is not possible, I’ll give them a long phone call to exchange greetings, inquire about their health, learn about their plans for the day and make a promise that I’ll be among them soon after Eid days to spend lots of time with them,” he said.
Eid is no different for Shazia, a medical practitioner at a government hospital. She will remain on duty on the day but at the same time, has no complaints to make. “Being a doctor means serving humanity and therefore, I’m to comfort others, disregarding my own comforts. I’ll attend to the patients on Eid without feigning any regrets,” she said.
Jamal, an official of the Sanitation Department, and Ismail Khan, a private security guard in a street of Sector I-8, too, will spend Eid day away from family. They too, however, were of the view that Eidul Azha means sacrifice and so would they do for others on the day.