Vacations in any form are always welcomed with open arms, may it be Eid, summer, or any other vacation. However, there is no alternative to winter vacations. The lazy days and cold nights call for vacations so that people make the most out of it. Winter is the season to stay warm and cozy. It’s the season to enjoy hot beverages, dry fruits and soups. Who would not want to stay at home all warmed up in the blanket, watching a movie while munching on some nuts!
Winter vacations in Pakistan are the most anticipated holidays. They not only mean a few weeks off, but they are also filled with festivities. During the winter vacations in Pakistan, people enjoy festivities associated with the 25th of December. It is not only the Christmas, but 25th December also marks the birthday of the founder of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Pakistanis celebrate this day with full zeal and enthusiasm.
The winter vacations in Pakistan marks the beginning of the festive mode. From the start of winter vacations, Pakistani Christians start preparing for Christmas. Many of the events take place on the 25th of December related to Christmas and Quaid-e-Azam – father of the nation’s birth anniversary, for instance, churches are decorated, different ceremonies take place at the Quaid’s mausoleum etc. Another important event which took place in the month of December was the Martyrdom of ex-Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto.
The duration of the winter vacations in Pakistan varies from region to region. Colder areas enjoy longer winter vacations while warmer areas, shorter. The northern areas of Pakistan and cities such as Quetta are granted winter vacations for 2/3 months, while kids in the coastal area of Pakistan (Karachi/Hyderabad) get vacations for merely 10-15 days max. While other cities of Pakistan enjoy snow fall and chilly winds, people of Karachi await to get a chance to flaunt their favorite cardigans/ winter wear.
During the winter vacations in Pakistan, most of the people travel different places to make the most out of it. Many people from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad visit Northern areas during the winter vacations in Pakistan to experience the snow fall and to enjoy winters in the true sense.
However, there is a flip side which restricts people from enjoying winter vacations in Pakistan. During the winter vacations in Pakistan, colder areas, such as Quetta, Murree, etc, experience Gas shortage because of which they fail to operate their heaters because of which many of the children fall sick. In addition to that, because of heavy snow falls roads also get blocked for weeks because of poor infrastructure and lack of planning.
Having said that, people in Pakistan, especially in the coastal areas of Pakistan await the winter season whole year and enjoy it the most. To them, it is more of a reward for drenching in sweat for the remaining time of the year. In the coastal areas of Pakistan, the weather remains pleasant during the winters and it never gets unbearably cold. People visit seaside to relish the chilly breeze and to feel fresh and rejuvenated.
If one wants to experience winters in the real sense, they must visit areas such as Naran Valley, Kaghan Valley, Ziarat, Rawalakot, Shandur Pas, Murree Hills, Sawat Valley, Hunza Valley, etc., to enjoy the real beauty of the country during the winter vacations in Pakistan!
