Nearly 1m visit PHA parks across Punjab during Eid holidays

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th May, 2026) Public parks and recreational spots managed by the Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA) across the province witnessed an overwhelming influx of visitors during Eid-ul-Adha holidays, with nearly one million people visiting various parks and scenic locations, a PHA spokesperson said on Friday.

According to data compiled from 21 district horticulture agencies operating under the PHA umbrella, major parks in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujrat and other cities remained crowded throughout the three-day holiday period.

In Lahore, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park recorded the highest footfall with 42,000 visitors, followed by Racecourse Park with 28,000 and Bagh-i-Jinnah with 22,500 visitors. Greater Iqbal Park attracted 15,000 people, while Jallo Botanical Garden welcomed around 10,000 visitors.

Rawalpindi also witnessed heavy turnout, with Rawal Park receiving 40,980 visitors, Commercial Market Park 26,400 and Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan Park 25,080 visitors. However, Allama Iqbal Park remained closed due to the Australia-Pakistan cricket series.

In Faisalabad, Bagh-i-Jinnah received nearly 10,000 visitors, while Kashmir Park and Nawaz Sharif Park recorded 3,600 and 4,500 visitors respectively.

Sargodha recorded exceptionally high attendance, primarily to offer Eid prayers. Eidgah Park, Company Bagh and Hanif Shaheed Park each drew more than 100,000 visitors on the first day of Eid due to special prayer arrangements, though attendance dropped significantly on subsequent days.

In Bahawalpur, Farid Park welcomed 6,150 visitors, Shahdara Park 5,630 and Special Children Park 2,500 visitors.

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Gujrat matched Lahore’s highest single-park footfall, as Nawaz Sharif Park attracted 42,000 visitors. Ladies and Children Park received nearly 25,000 visitors, while Inayat Park at Fawara Chowk recorded 9,000 visitors.

Meanwhile, Altaf Model Park and Akram Shaheed Ladies Park in Jhelum welcomed 1,200 and 2,300 visitors respectively. In Rahim Yar Khan, City Park attracted 21,000 visitors, Zam Zam Park 13,000 and Khanpur Adda Park 4,900 visitors.

The intense heatwave affected turnout in several smaller cities, including Okara, Nankana Sahib, Muzaffargarh, Sheikhupura, Khushab and Dera Ghazi Khan, where comparatively lower footfall was recorded.

Ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, the PHA had directed all district horticulture agencies to ensure cleanliness, waste management and security arrangements in parks across the province.

PHA Director General Raja Mansoor Ahmad had instructed authorities to maintain regular cleaning operations, ensure the availability of dustbins and deploy adequate staff for visitor facilitation during the holidays.

Security personnel and surveillance cameras were also deployed at parks to maintain law and order, while senior officials monitored arrangements in coordination with district administrations.

The PHA had also imposed a ban on temporary amusement rides and mechanical swings in parks during Eid holidays. However, permanently installed rides at amusement parks were allowed to operate after submission of valid fitness certificates and compliance with safety standards.