‘Namaz-e-Istisqa’ offered at Liaquat Bagh

Rawalpindi

People belonging to different walks of life on Monday offered special prayers (Salat Al-Istisqa) at Liaquat Bagh here for seeking rain, following continued dry spell for more than three months. The followers offered ‘Namaz-e-Intisqa’ under tight security arrangements as hundreds of police officials were around Liaquat Bagh in this regard.

People said that this period of the year is usually marked by good rains, but this year the delay in rains has been causing damage to the crops. They said that dry weather had not only made atmosphere harsh but also affected all seasonal crops particularly wheat crop and vegetables, resulting in losses to the growers.  Similarly, the tobacco growers said that curing process of the flue-cured Virginia had turned more complicated because the crop did not yield according to their expectations. The maize crop will also suffer damages in dry spell.

They also said that they are anxiously waiting for snowfall in hilly areas of Murree and Nathia Gali where they could enjoy. “We see cloudy weather every morning but no rain,” they said.

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Director Dr Muhammad Hanif said that long dry spell is dangerous for each and everything. Seasonal crops are badly destroying while water level is also going down and down. “Yet, there was no good news for rain in coming days,” he said. He also said that last time we saw rain in the month of August.