By Ajmal Khan Yousafzai
ISLAMABAD: As a lockdown enforced in the federal capital enters the third week, residents are missing out on one of their most favourite times of the year, spring. The season sees the entire city covered in colourful flowers and the cherry blossoms, turning the year-long green look of the city into a rainbow of natural colours.
It is no surprise that this time of the year sees some specific festivals and competitions held in the city, with horticultural contests for the best flower arrangement apart from massive flower shows, particularly in the Rose and Jasmine gardens – a show which rivals with other mega shows such as food festivals for footfall.
However, with the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak in the city which has claimed at least one life amidst 83 cases, many people are staying home as per a government-mandated lockdown. All public places, including parks and open grounds, have been shut down. Hence, there is no one there to appreciate the beauty of the radiant flowers except for some security personnel on duty to restrict public movement and a few people who commute to work or to stores to procure essential items.
