October 04, 2008	Saturday	Shawwal 04, 1429

KARACHI, Oct 3: Karachiites celebrated Eidul Fitr on Wednesday with religious fervour in a peaceful atmosphere. Festivities continued on Thursday and Friday with men, women and children wearing colourful dresses visiting relatives, friends and neighbours to exchange greetings.

Crowds of children and youths were seen enjoying the Eid holidays in parks, playgrounds and picnic spots.

The festivities kicked off soon after the Eid prayers, offered at Eidgahs, Imambargahs, mosques, playgrounds and other open spaces across the city.

The main Eid congregation was held at the Polo Ground where Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad and other senior officials of the provincial and city governments offered Eid prayers. Prominent among them were City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman and IGP Sultan Salahuddin Babar Khattak. They exchanged greetings and embraced the faithful soon after the prayers.

Elaborate security arrangements were made to maintain peace outside the public places. Some 8,000 police personnel were deployed across the city for guard and patrolling duties.

A network of intelligence was in place to assist the police in pre-empting any terrorist attack or violence. Special security arrangements were made for sensitive areas where uniformed and plain-clothes policemen kept a strict watch on anti-social elements.

Meanwhile, people from a cross section of society visited the Governor’s House on Eid day and exchanged greetings with Dr Ibad. They also apprised him of the problems of their areas and community. The governor issued orders to the officials concern for the solution of their problems.

Diplomats of various Muslim countries, representatives of the armed forces, civil officers, ulema and representatives of Bohra Jamaat, industrialists and businessman community, besides media people, also visited the governor.

An Eid reception was also held at the Governor’s House.

—Agencies