Islamabad/Lahore: March 31: Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated across the country with great religious enthusiasm and fervor on Monday.
The occasion saw Eid congregations held in open spaces, mosques, and Eidgahs across villages, towns, and cities, where special prayers were offered for the development and prosperity of the nation.
In the prayers, were also remembered the liberation of Muslim territories, including Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.
In Islamabad, the main Eid congregation took place at Faisal Mosque, where government dignitaries, foreign diplomats, and the general public gathered to offer their Eid prayers.
President Asif Ali Zardari attended the prayer at a mosque in Nawabshah, where he also met with locals and exchanged Eid greetings.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif participated in the Eid prayer at Model Town in Lahore.
On this occasion, special prayers were made for the safety, peace, and prosperity of the country and for the unity of the Muslim Ummah.
Following the prayer, the Prime Minister mingled with those present and shared Eid greetings.
Speaking to the media after the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted that while the nation was celebrating the joy of Eid, it was important to remember those who lacked the means to celebrate.
Both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif exchanged Eid greetings over a phone call, wishing each other well on the occasion.
Interior Minister Senator Mohsin Naqvi offered Eid prayers in Lahore and made special prayers for the country’s progress and development.
He also emphasized the importance of remembering the poor during Eid celebrations and expressed regret over the ongoing atrocities against innocent Kashmiris and Palestinians.
PPP Chairman and Former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari remembered the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir and Palestine, who continue to face oppression, particularly on this festive occasion.
He pointed out that Eid served as a day to unite Muslims globally and emphasized that this was the first Eid since Pakistan’s Muslims were liberated from an “anti-people” government.
On Eid, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen. Asim Munir spent the day with troops. He offered prayers with soldiers, and special prayers were made for Pakistan’s security, peace, and stability.
The COAS also paid tribute to the martyrs and their families for their contributions to ensuring a peaceful Pakistan.
In Karachi, the main Eid congregation was held at the Old Polo Ground, where Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori offered Eid prayers alongside ambassadors from various Muslim countries and other dignitaries. The Governor extended Eid greetings to the nation.
Peshawar and Rawalpindi
In Peshawar, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi offered Eid prayers at the Governor House, while Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur attended prayers in his hometown of Dera Ismail Khan.
Special prayers were offered across the country for the security, peace, and prosperity of the nation, the unity of the Muslim Ummah, and the liberation of Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine from occupation.
Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated with great religious fervor and zeal in Rawalpindi on Monday, as it was across the country, marking the end of the holy month of Ramazan.
Large Eid congregations were held in various locations, including the iconic Liaquat Bagh, along with other open spaces, mosques, and Eidgahs throughout the Rawalpindi division.
During the Eid sermons, Ulema emphasized the importance of unity among the Muslim Ummah and offered prayers for the prosperity and well-being of the nation.
Special prayers were also said for the development and progress of the country, the unity of the Ummah, the resolution of their challenges, and the liberation of Muslim territories, particularly the occupied Kashmir.
Eid Security Measures
In preparation for the Eid celebrations, stringent security measures were implemented across the region to ensure safety.
According to a police spokesperson, law enforcement agencies were placed on high alert to prevent any untoward incidents.
More than 2,500 police personnel were deployed at Eid congregations, public spaces, shopping malls, and other critical sites to deter suspicious activities.
Walk-through gates and scanners were installed at major Eid congregations to ensure the safety of attendees.
Additionally, hundreds of mosques, Imambargahs, and various religious gatherings were provided with armed guards and police officers during the prayers.
The City Traffic Police (CTP) also rolled out a comprehensive traffic management plan for the Eid days.
The plan included the deployment of 460 officers and wardens, including 8 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), 112 inspectors, and 340 traffic wardens and assistants.
More than 52 officers and wardens were assigned to oversee traffic management and security at public parks across the city.
Mix Eid
The Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee had announced that Eid would be celebrated on Tuesday, as the Shawwal moon was not sighted on Sunday. However, much of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, excluding a few areas, had already celebrated Eid on Monday.
Eid congregations took place at open spaces, mosques, and Eidgahs across the country, with Ulema delivering sermons that emphasized unity within the Muslim Ummah.
Special prayers were offered for the prosperity of the nation, the welfare of the Muslim community worldwide, and the resolution of issues facing the global Muslim population, including the liberation of occupied territories like Kashmir.
The Radio Pakistan report highlighted that around 25,000 Eid congregations were held in Punjab, with nearly 4,000 held in Lahore, including at mosques, Imambargahs, and open spaces.
To ensure safety, strict security measures were put in place, with over 43,000 personnel deployed across the province, and 5,000 police officers stationed in Lahore.
Eid prayers were also held in various regions, including Malakand, Hazara, and Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where over 190 congregations took place. In Quetta, the main congregation was held at Eidgah Toghi Road.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed PML-N workers after his prayers, vowing to overcome the nation’s current economic challenges with the support of coalition partners.
He assured the public that the government would work diligently to resolve these issues, and soon he would address the nation with more details.
He also prayed for progress and prosperity, emphasizing that hard work, dedication, and honesty were key to overcoming the challenges ahead. He expressed gratitude to the party workers for their unwavering support over the last four years.
