960427

Islamabad deserted

as offices close down

for Eid holidays

ISLAMABAD: During the Eid holidays Islamabad comes up with its true colours - if one can call it that - a city which has no culture of its own, becomes a place it once used to be - a ghost town.

Since last Thursday, most of the offices, including those of the federal government, have virtually closed down, though it was a working day. And the real activity and the hustle and bustle will start only after ten days of holidays and festivities.

Primarily it was one of the reasons that the markets in Islamabad too were deserted on the weekend. In the Juma Bazaar, however, there was a rush to buy commodities like ginger, garlic, tomatoes and `Garam Masala', the ingredients for making a good meat recipe.

However, some activity is seen in the not-so-posh sectors of Islamabad, mostly in Melody, around Peshawar More or in I sectors where people are busy in Eid shopping, which is not very brisk.

The ones where "big-shots" and bureaucrats reside - E and F sectors - eerie silence has descended. With the palatial houses locked away, they have left everything to God and then, if they can be trusted - to Islamabad Police.

The local police are reported to have made those proverbial `special arrangements' to patrol the deserted streets of Islamabad during the holidays and to watch out for the burglars, who find the situation ideal to "make hay while the sun shines."

The police have also asked those leaving homes to make their own arrangements for the safety of the house and household items.

Already, there are reports of increased cases of car and motorcycle thefts. The residents would be well-advised to act on what the police say and make private security arrangements while they are away.

Islamabad itself may become a ghost-town, but the Margallahs surrounding it hold its own charm and would in fact be buzzing with a lot of fun-seekers on the holidays following the Eid day.

People coming to many of the picnic spots in Margallahs would either be from Rawalpindi or those coming to spend their holidays with their relatives.

Abundance of meat provide an ideal opportunity for friends and near and dear ones to get together and go out for picnic. Or may be arrange for a bar-be-cue in the pleasant breeze which blows in the Margallahs in the warm weather.-APP