Pleasant weather doubles joys of Eid

Rawalpindi

The residents of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad celebrated Eidul Fitr with religious zeal and fervour. People along with their families thronged parks to celebrate Eid. It seemed that all roads lead to the parks and public places even on the third day of Eid. Unprecedented rush was witnessed at recreational spots, food outlets, restaurants and cinema houses on first, second and third day of Eidul Fitr.

Hundreds and thousands of people wearing new clothes made beelines to mosques, Imambargahs and open places on Monday morning to offer Eid prayers. Religious scholars delivered special sermons and prayed for the safety and prosperity of the country. Big Eid congregations were seen here at Eidgah Sharif near Asghar Mall Road, Satellite Town, Dhok Syedan, Jamia Masjid Chungi no. 22, Adiala Road, Liaquat Bagh, Gulistan Colony, Chur and Allahabad.

The worship places were guarded by heavy contingents of police to avoid any untoward incident. The people also distributed "Fitrana" among the needy and downtrodden segments of the society to enable them to partake the festivities of Eid. According to city district government, Rawalpindi, Eid prayers congregations were held at 799 mosques, 61 Imambargahs and 73 open places of Rawalpindi. The biggest Eid congregation was held here at Liaquat Bagh.

A rough figure gathered from the car parking lots in the twin cities estimated the number of vehicles parked at the recreational spots on each day of Eid was between five and ten thousand. The Jinnah Park-cum-Cineplex and Ayub Park in Rawalpindi and Rawal Lake Promenade, Rawal Lake View Park, Daman-e-Koh, Pir Sohawa, Islamabad Zoo, Shakarparian and Pakistan Monument were the places where some 500 to 1,500 motor vehicles were parked at these places.

People visited relatives to exchange Eid greetings and attended family parties during Eid holidays. All TV channels telecast special programmes during Eid days. Children wearing new clothes frolicked all around adding colour to the religious festival.

Eidul Fitr is also called sweet Eid with the markets flooded with traditional delicacies. People make different sweet dishes at home as well. Similarly, a huge rush of passengers was witnessed at metro bus stations.

Profiteers and taxicabs openly looted public with both hands on Eid days. Shaver chicken sellers raised the price of and sold 1 kg meat between Rs300-350 against the usual Rs190/kg per litre. Tandoors sold a Naan at Rs10 and Roti at Rs8 while milkmen sold milk at Rs120 and yogurt at Rs150 per kg .

Similarly, park managements also looted public taking Rs100 to Rs150 for a swing or game.  Similarly, taxicabs demanded Rs500 for a short distance on Eid days as public faced lot of difficulties in reaching recreational spots and homes of their near and dear ones.

On all three days of Eid, weather remained pleasant as rain hit city occasionally, specially on on Sunday evening (Chaand Raat) and Monday evening. "After offering prayers at the local mosque I will go to Islamabad to meet my friend as Eid is the day to exchange happiness," Qazi Mukhtar Ahmed a local said. Eid is an exciting festival when all wear new clothes and prepare sweet dishes in homes, he said. 

Though majority of general markets and shopping malls were closed yet the cinemas, parks, restaurants, fast food outlets, refreshment centres and bakeries remained open and a great rush of people was witnessed there.

A large number of beggars were also seen outside places of worship, seeking alms from people. Police had made unprecedented security arrangements at the Eidgahs with deployment of extra force both in uniform and civvies. Several ATMs of some of the banks remained out of service causing immense trouble for the account holders.

Deputy Commissioner (Rawalpindi) Talat Gondal who offered Eid prayers at Civil Line area told 'The News' that the administration was strictly monitoring law and order situation all around. “I cancelled Eid holidays of my staff to monitor law and order situation. We are also monitoring profiteers they are looting public with both hands,” he said.