DAWN.COM

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI, Oct 29: Eidul Azha was celebrated with religious fervour and enthusiasm in the twin cities and its adjoining areas. The four official holidays also provided a much-needed break to the citizens to enjoy the event.

However, butchers and sanitary staff remained on their toes during the holidays.

The butchers had field days during the first two days of the religious festival. They charged Rs2,000 to Rs4,000 for slaughtering a goat or sheep, Rs7,000-10,000 for a bull or calf and Rs14,000-Rs15,000 for a camel.

Some part-time butchers also did a roaring business. Many people complained that these so-called butchers did not know even how to cut the meat.

“The unprofessional butchers spoiled the business of professional ones during Eid days,’” said Mohammad Tariq alias Papu, who runs a meat shop in Westridge.

However, people said they hired the services of untrained persons as the professional butchers were demanding more than the actual rate for slaughtering the animals.
“We wanted to offer our religious rituals and butchers tried to get more money. These part-time butchers are not bad but we have to guide them how to cut the meat,” said Faiz Mohammad, a local resident.

After offering their religious rituals on the first and second days of Eid, many people headed to Ayub National Park, Jinnah Park, Cinepax, Nawaz Sharif Park as well as parks in Islamabad. Hundreds of vehicles were seen streaming towards these places.

With most of the schools still closed on Tuesday, a large number of parents along with children were seen at the picnic spots.

The main family attractions in Rawalpindi – family park at Commercial Market, Nawaz Sharif Park in Shamsabad, Jinnah Park and Ayub Park – were filled to capacity till late night.

The whole federal capital became a picnic spot with even the green belts looking attractive places for non-local visitors.

“Usually we go to our village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Eid days but this time we cut the visit short and came to Islamabad along with our relatives for Sunday and Monday,” said Gul Zameen, roasting meat at a green belt along Murree Road near Rawal Dam.

In Islamabad, the traditional picnic spots, including Shakarparian, National Monument, Fatima Jinnah Park (F-9 Park), Lakeview Park, zoo, children’s park (Japanese Park) witnessed massive rush of people.

Choking traffic could also bee seen towards Daman-i-Koh and a large number of people even found Faisal Mosque as an attractive entertainment spot. However, the people complained about high rates of edibles in these parks.

A parking ticket has been imposed in the Japanese Park, while the contractor after mentioning the ticket rates on a board outside was charging Rs10 for children instead of Rs5.

Some people also moved to Murree Hills to enjoy the holidays in a more natural environment. As many settled down at Chattar Park and Salgran family amusement park, others continued their journey up to the Murree city.

In Rawalpindi, the Jungle Kingdom at Ayub National Park remained the biggest attraction for children, drawing crowds from around 11am till the evening.

“After offering our religious rituals, we came here to provide the children recreational facilities,” said Naeem Qureshi in Ayub Park. He said Eid was fun for children who enjoyed it in parks.

Another visitor to the park, Mohammad Munir, said the park was a lot more beautiful when they were kids. He said his children were insisting on visiting Cinepax where cartoon movies were screened. “We have planned to go there on Tuesday.

TAXILA: Recreational places in Taxila, Wah Cantonment and Hassanabdal witnessed unusual rush on Sunday and Monday.

The citizens also thronged to Khanpur dam, Taxila Museum, Wah Garden, Sher Shah Suri Park, Lala Rukh tomb and different ancient sites. Not only families but also groups of youths visited the recreational sites. A large number of people from Islamabad and Rawalpindi also visited these places. According to official figures, over 1,000 people visited the museum, more than 600 Wah Garden, over 700 Sher Shah Suri Park and over 200 visited the Lala Rukh tomb.

“I prefer to spend time playing with my kids in the green lawns of Taxila Museum,” said Kashif Ilyas, a resident of Wah Cantt. With public transport mostly off the road, rickshaw and taxi drivers charged the passengers at their will.

ATTOCK:  Over 10,000 people offered Eid prayers at the central Eidgah her. Other major congregations were held at Madina Masjid, Liaquat Ali Khan Hockey Stadium and Jammia Masque Darulsalam Colony.

Speaking on the occasion, Ullema asked the faithful to forge unity and solidarity among their ranks to face the challenges.

After prayer, The Eid celebration commenced with sacrifice of animals. The police  had made extraordinary security arrangements to avoid any untoward incidents.
Besides, the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) had also made proper arrangements for collection of the waste of sacrificial animals from residential areas.

CHAKWAL: Major Eid congregations here were held in Committee Bagh, Civil Club and Eidghah. After offering the Eid prayer, people sacrificed their animals. A large number of people later thronged the scenic valley of Kallar Kahar. People from Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Sargodha, Khushab, Jhelum and Lahore also visited Kallar Kahar.
Traffic remained almost suspended during Eid in Kallar Kahar particularly on Lake Road.