Islamabad set to get into ‘sleeping mode’ due to eid vacations

[LahoreEstate]

Sunday, September 20, 2009
Myra Imran

Islamabad

Slowly but surely, Islamabad will start getting into its famed sleeping mode from Friday ahead of Eidul Fitr, as thousands of people begin preparing to leave for their ancestral towns to celebrate the auspicious occasion with their dear ones.

From government officials to businessmen and from bureaucrats to politicians, everybody who is anybody would be heading to their hometowns that could be deep inside provinces. Islamabad would have to take a back seat for the few days of Eid. This would leave only few people staying back to celebrate a festival often termed ‘boring’ by the residents, for there is hardly a thing to do except for visiting close relatives.

Although the traders braced for a last-minute rush of shoppers, they too would be off to their respective cities and villages after winding up their Eid sales that often continue past midnight.

Already many of the smaller restaurants and shops have closed down providing a significant indication of things to come once the Eid moon is sighted. There were also signs of traffic decreasing considerably. “Only a few girls came to attend classes today,” said Anam Saeed, a student of Islamabad College for Girls.

Residents traditionally complain of Islamabad turning ‘dead’ this time of the year and point out that the few days of Eid were in fact quite boring than normal days. “There’s no fun fair, no cultural activity or any other attraction for the people — no wonder there’s little excitement,” said Shabbir Hayat.

“I find Eid particularly boring for all the shopping centres are closed, there is not enough public transport available and a person without his own conveyance cannot think of going anywhere,” said Shafiuddin, another resident.

The rush at the bus and wagon stands increased tremendously on the eve of Eid with passengers complaining of being fleeced by the transporters, something that is not unusual on this occasion.

There was also a big rush at the Railway Station where hundreds of people scrambled to get onto trains, many of them risking their lives clinging dangerously by the doors. “This is how I make it home on Eid each year,” said one passenger, as the train slowly began to move out.

Although the government has announced three holidays, it won’t be business as usual until late next week because people almost always extend their holidays. This means that for almost an entire week much of Islamabad would remain quiet, a picture in contrast to all the rush seen here throughout the year.


http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=199417