Multan is known for its dust, hottest season, graveyards and beggars and there is small number of recreational parks. With the mercury gradually rising up, large crowds of people are seen at city parks these days.
Visitors start reaching the parks in the afternoon, refreshing themselves by leisurely strolls and brisk walks, and stay there even after sunset to enjoy the pleasant atmosphere.
However, women and girls coming to the parks without male members of their families are found returning home before the night sets in.
The reason for their doing so is the presence of eve-teasers in the parks, be it the Allama Park, Nawan Shehr, Bagh Langay Khan is a permanent sitting place of drug addicts, Shah Shams Park, Jinnah Park (Shah-Rukne-Alam), the Lake View Park (Jheel Park).
A workingwoman, Rabia Khan complained of harassment by a few youngsters in the park. She said that she was used to going to Jinnah Park alone in the evening after office hours.
She said a few days ago, she came to the park and started walking on the track. "As soon as I reached a relatively deserted place, a man appeared from nowhere and started passing objectionable remarks after seeing me alone. I panicked and ran away.
The man kept chasing me until I reached a safer place. He then disappeared," she said.
Another woman, Sehrish Ali, said she had abandoned walking down the Rawal Lake track around sunset due to harassment by men. She said she first ignored them but then decided not to stroll there for her security. She regretted that women and girls wanted to go to parks and tracks to relax, but most of them had to stay away due to eve teasing. She urged the authorities to ensure better security in and around public parks.