Ramazan festivity:  Night walk trending in Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi

Residents of Rawalpindi have made it a habit of walking and jogging at night after getting done with Tarawih prayers during the holy month of Ramazan.

However, park timings act as a barrier for people to continue their walk routine as all parks in Rawalpindi are closed down at 10 pm.

The garrison city residents have demanded of Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) to extend the park timings at least to 12am.

A resident of Chaklala Scheme-III said that he used to walk in the nearest park early in the morning on a daily basis before the start of Ramazan.

However, he said, “I have changed my routine due to Ramazan. Now I walk for at least half an hour daily after Tarawih prayers.”  Walking is a very healthy activity that offers many health benefits, said a resident of Satellite Town.

“We made a terrible mistake by eating more than usual at Iftar which makes us lethargic. Moreover, low energy levels bar us from taking a walk during the day while fasting. That’s why I go out for a walk with my family at night,” he added.

Muhammad Iqbal, a nutritionist in F-11 Markaz, said “In Ramazan, majority of people cut down their physical activities that can increase the risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and some cancers.

All these health risks can be averted by taking a daily walk of just 30 minutes. Walking also offers additional benefits such as increased cardiovascular fitness, strong bones, low body fat, and boosted muscle power and endurance.