KARACHI: People of Karachi celebrated Eidul Fitr with traditional fervour and enthusiasm on Saturday as Eid congregations were held at over 5,000 places, including mosques and grounds, in the city.

Special prayers were offered for peace, solidarity, political stability, elimination of terrorism, prosperity of the country, liberation of Kashmir and Palestine and the unity of the Ummah.

Special security measures were taken as thousands of policemen were deployed across the city.

President Mamnoon Hussain offered Eid prayers at a mosque in the State Guest House.

Diplomats, senior officials, Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair, Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leaders Dr Farooq Sattar, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Khwaja Izharul Hasan, Chief Secretary Azam Suleman Khan, Commissioner Ejaz Ahmed Khan and a large number of people offered Eid prayers at Old Polo Ground, known as Bagh-i-Jinnah.

Other places where major Eidul Fitr congregations were held included Nazimabad Eidgah Ground, National Stadium, Nishtar Park, Arambagh, Faizan-i-Madina, New Memon Masjid, Darul Uloom Karachi, New Town Mosque, Eidgah Mosque, Jamia Cloth Market.

The people of Karachi thronged to city beaches, Karachi Zoo, Safari Park and other recreational places on the three days of Eid to enjoy the festive occasion.

Governor lauds police, Rangers’ role

Talking to media after offering Eid prayers at Bagh-i-Jinnah, Governor Zubair appreciated the role of law enforcement agencies for ensuring peace in the metropolis with the coordinated efforts of the federal and provincial governments.

Extending Eid greetings to people of the province and the country, he said: “Today Pakistan is far [more] secure and striding on the road to economic progress and prosperity than in 2013.”

He asked the people to exercise their right to vote in the coming general elections on the basis of the performance of parties which had been in power because their vote would determine the direction of the country for the next five years.

Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2018