ISLAMABAD: As a part of security arrangements for the Pakistan Day parade, security forces have asked the administrators of wedding halls and lawns on Islamabad Expressway to cancel all events scheduled between March 18 and 24.

The administrations of the halls said they would suffer huge financial losses in the peak season. Besides, guests coming from abroad would have to return without attending the functions, they added.

Senior officers of Rangers and the army visited the halls and lawns and asked their managements to cancel all the bookings made for March 18-24.

A visit to the localities along the expressway by this reporter showed that there were at least 10 wedding halls and lawns which had bookings from March 18 to 24. Some of them had multiple bookings for a day.

However, the armed forces considered the events as a security risk for the Pakistan Day parade to be held on March 23.

“The cancellation will cause huge financial losses to us,” some of the managers told Dawn, adding they charged Rs500,000 to Rs800,000 per function. The halls and lawns had been booked about three to five months ago by different families to avoid any inconvenience.

“As it is a peak season, it will be difficult for the people to get alternative locations to hold the functions,” they said.

Manager Monal Marquee Mohammad Jamil told Dawn that under the direction of the army all the six events scheduled to be held during the period had been cancelled. “We have been asked not to arrange any function from March 18 to 24,” he added.

“We have no other option but to return the booking amount to the clients.”

Manager of the Avalon Marquee, Wasi Kazmi, said they had two events per day during the period and all had been cancelled. “We tried hard to arrange the events at any other facility in the city but it is difficult due the time constraint.”

Umar Butt, the manager of Clay Oven Banquet Hall, said there were eight bookings during the period and six had been cancelled. Two clients agreed to reschedule their events, he added.

Zeeshan Malik said his marriage was scheduled to be held on March 23 at Monal Marquee but his booking was cancelled on the direction of the army.

Abdul Basit said he had come from Landon along with his six family members to attend a ceremony at Clay Oven Banquet Hall. “My family came to attend the wedding ceremony of my niece and my children were very excited. But the ceremony was cancelled and we would go back as I have limited leaves and return tickets.”

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2015

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