PESHAWAR: The people celebrated Eidul Azha in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with religious fervour.

Eid congregations were held in mosques and eidgahs but the worshipers disregarded the standard operating procedures notified by the government to stem the spread of novel coronavirus.

In Peshawar, Eid prayers were offered at around 200 places with the main congregation being held at the Charsadda Road Eidgahunder tight security measures.

In sermons, the prayer leaders highlighted the significance and philosophy of the sacrifice offered by Hazrat Ibrahim and Hazrat Ismail (AS).

The people later slaughtered animals in line with the sunnah of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS).

Chief Minister Mahmood Khan offered Eid prayers at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Peshawar.

Minister Shaukat Yousafzai and cabinet member Kamran Bangash, chief secretary Dr Kazim Niaz, provincial police chief Moazzam Jah Ansari and other senior officials also offered Eid prayers at the CM’s Secretariat.

On the occasion, special prayers were offered for the well-being of the Ummah and progress, prosperity and security of the country.

The participants observed social distancing while exchanging Eid greetings.

The chief minister urged the people to follow the government’s guidelines for own and others’ protection against coronavirus.

As the weather was pleasant due to rains and overcast sky, people, especially youth, thronged parks. However, they largely didn’t observe SOPs.

The district administrations didn’t take measures to enforce restrictions to check the spread of Covid-19.

The people, who intended to visit relatives or parks, faced hardships as fewer transport vehicles were on the roads.

Public Transport Owners Association provincial president Khan Zaman Afridi said most transporters remained busy in Eid activities and preferred to keep their vehicles off the roads.

He said there was no restriction on transport during Eid days but officials of the transport department strictly asked transporters to follow SOPs.

“We strictly follow SOPs for our own and commuters’ safety,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2021