Children enjoy a train ride at Ayub National Park in Rawalpindi on Eid-ul-Azha. Photo: Online

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: As some people continued to enjoy Eid-ul-Azha at various recreational parks across the country, others were seen returning from their hometowns to the cities they work in since holidays for the festive occasion end today.

Major bus stops of Islamabad and Rawalpindi ? in Faizabad and Pirwadhai ? were crowded on Monday, the third day of Eid, as people waited to return to their destinations to resume work or studies.

Arsalan Zahid, father of three children, said he went to his father?s house in Bahawalpur for Eid but was returning to get back to work Tuesday morning.

?This year I booked the seats in advance to avoid the hassle of not finding seats,? he said.

Those who left the chore of booking tickets at the eleventh hour had to spend their Eid holidays making arrangements for return.

Zaheer Shah, another person at Faizabad bus stop, said he had been trying for the last two days but succeeded only last night in getting three seats.

?We enjoyed Eid with our parents in Multan but wanted to go back early so spend time with our friends,? said Zeeshan, an employee at the ministry of housing and works. ?But unavailability of seats ruined all our plans.?

He added transporters were charging extra fares as they knew people had no choice but to surrender to the prices they had set calling it an Eidi for their services.

The authorities concerned should take steps to stop the blackmailing of the ?transport mafia? who were burdening people?s pockets, he said.

On swings and slides

On the other hand, those who did not have to face the hassle of booking air, rail or bus tickets continued to enjoy on the third day of Eid.

Those who fulfilled the ritual of sacrificing animals on the first and second day of Eid-ul-Azha, flocked to the numerous parks of the twin cities ? Nawaz Sharif Park, Ayub National Park and Rawal Lake View Park, among others.

?It?s fun to spend Eid at such aesthetically developed recreational spots,? said Amjid, who was at Nawaz Sharif Park with his family.  

However, they too complained of transporters charging exorbitant prices to take them from one spot to the other. A large number of youngsters and families, therefore, managed to reach the parks on motorbikes.

People also complained over having to pay extra money to park their vehicles at most of the recreational spots. They were of the view that the government should make entry to all the parks with parking facilities free and the prices of all items at canteens should be checked and controlled by the authorities concerned.