Residents leave Capital for Eid

[LahoreEstate]

By Aamir Yasin

ISLAMABAD: Federal Capital roads wore a deserted look on Sunday as thousands of people left the city for their hometowns to celebrate Eidul Fitr with their dear ones.

Islamabad becomes a ghost city on Eid festivals making difficult for police to ensure security and people often complain of thefts on returning from their hometowns.

The residents said the federal capital remains deserted for three days of Eid. They said traditional hustle and bustle of the Eid was witness near some picnic spots in the evening. They were of the view that the two days of Eid were in fact quite boring than normal days.

“We find Eid the most boring day than normal as there was no cultural activity or meals like inner Punjab, “ said Latif Ahmed, who settled in Islamabad from Lahore.

Another resident Imran Qadeer said all the shopping malls or business centre remain closed for three days and even it was difficult to move within the city, as no public transport was available on Eid days.

Asif Butt, an employee of a private firm, said for bachelors staying in Islamabad during Eid days was a very difficult task. He said all the restaurants and roadside hotels were closed as their owners and employees mostly belonged to NWFP or Kashmir who leave the city for their hometowns to celebrate Eid.

Bus terminals and railway stations witnessed pandemonium on the eve of Eid as passengers were complaining of being fleeced by the transporters, something that is not unusual on this occasion.

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