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Tuesday March 19, 2024

Inflation dampens spirit of Eidul Azha

By Khalid Iqbal
July 24, 2021

Rawalpindi : The high prices of eatables coupled with skyrocketing transport fares dampened the spirits of holidaymakers during Eidul Azha in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The taxicabs, rickshaws, and other private services in the guise of POL prices looted the public with both hands. Even the seasonal butchers were demanding a high amount for slaughtering animals. For a normal bull butchers were demanding Rs15,000 and Rs5,000 for a normal goat. In case the animals were much bigger in size, the butchers’ charges were higher as well.

The day dawned with special prayers for peace, progress, and prosperity of the country at mosques. Big Eid congregations were held here at Jamia Masjid Road, Chungi No22, Eidgah Sharif, Makki Masjid Saddar, Adiala Road, Dhamyal, Liaquat Bagh, Sadiqabad, and Devi Datta Masjid near Shamsabad. Eid prayers started at about 6:30 am. Special prayers were offered for the progress and prosperity of the country, unity of the ‘Ummah’, solution of their problems, and liberation of Muslim territories, including occupied Kashmir. The government had declared Eid holidays from June 20 to June 22. In the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, the `Eid'' congregations were held at more than one thousand places. The Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Syed Gulzar Hussain Shah, Deputy Commissioner (DC) and District and Sessions Judge (DSJ) offered Eid pray here at Judges Colony while Regional Police Officer (RPO) and City Police Officer (CPO) offered Eid prayer here at Police Line.

In Islamabad, the biggest congregation was held at the grand Faisal Mosque, where the high-ups of the government were to offer Eid prayers. Animals slaughtering started after Eid prayer which continued till Friday.

The ‘khateebs’ in their sermons said that following the teachings of Islam in a true sense can help reduce injustices in society. They said Eid is a day of gratitude and bliss and extended heartiest felicitations to the Pakistani nation and the Muslims across the world.

It also merits mentioning here that over 30 per cent of people wore masks and the rest did not bother to wear one.

On the other hand, the ‘naanbais’ were selling a ‘naan’ at Rs20, a ‘roti’ at Rs15, 1-kilogram tomato were being sold at Rs200 against Rs30, 1-kilogram yogurt at Rs150, milk at Rs140, green chili was selling at Rs160 against Rs40, lemon selling at Rs200 against Rs50, cucumber was selling at Rs80 against Rs30 and coal was selling at Rs120 against Rs70. Similarly, all kinds of fruits and vegetables were also selling at skyrocketing prices.

The taxicabs were charging Rs200 even for a short distance like Mareer Chowk to Committee Chowk.

The parents and children were angry on the managements of parks where the tickets of swings were unaffordable. The managements of parks in the jurisdictions of city and cantonment board localities were looting public both hands and selling a ticket at Rs70 to Rs250 per person.

The majority of families went to hilly areas of Murree on the second and third day of Eid. The City Traffic Officer (CTO) Rai Mazhar said that over 38,000 motors entered Murree on the second day of Eidul Azha. The roads of Murree were jam-packed from Chitta Morr to Sunny Bank.

Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) and Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) performed its duties very well during the Eid holidays. The RWMC lifted animal waste immediately from all areas. They not only lifted animal’s waste but also sprayed the areas.