PESHAWAR: The practice of celebrating Eidul Fitr on two different days continued in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as people in some areas of the province celebrated the religious festival on Friday while others observed it on Saturday.

Those, who celebrated Eid on Friday, either followed Saudi Arabia in their decision or claimed that the Shawal moon was sighted by locals. Even in some rural areas of Peshawar, people offered Eid prayers on Friday.

Previously, people were divided on the Eid issue on regional level as some of them followed the decision of unofficial historical committee of Masjid Qasim Ali Khan while many of them went with the central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee.

Since this time Masjid Qasim Ali Khan didn’t announce Eid on Friday to the disappointment of many, people followed the decision of local prayer leaders, bringing the division on Eid to village and street levels.

Residents of most areas of the province follow announcement of Ruet-i-Hilal Committee

Gulzar Khan, a resident of Garhi Atta Mohammad, told Dawn that his father celebrated Eid on Friday by following the announcement of a local prayer leader while rest of his family members observed it on Saturday in the light of central moon sighting committee’s announcement.

A resident of Deh Bahadar, located on Kohat Road, said that Eid prayer was offered on Friday in a mosque as locals had started fasting with Saudi Arabia. “There was no justification to delay Eid as they had completed 30 days of Ramazan,” he said.

Same was the situation in Bajuar tribal district where Eid was celebrated in major parts of the district on Friday while in some areas on Saturday. “We had started Ramazan with Saudi Arabia and also celebrated Eid with it,” one of the residents of the district told Dawn.

In a few areas of Mardan, Eid was celebrated on Friday while in most parts of the district it was observed on Saturday. Same was case in Nowshera and Mohmand.

In Charsadda, Eidul Fitr was celebrated with religious zeal and enthusiasm across various areas of Shabqadar tehsil on Friday, where large congregations were held to offer Eid prayers.

People in Matta Mughalkhel, Khwaja Was, Mansooka, Katozai and adjoining localities thronged open grounds and mosques to offer prayers and express gratitude at the end of Ramazan.

A major congregation was held at Pir Lal Rehman Mosque in Shabqadar where Maulana Mufti Shafi delivered a sermon, highlighting the importance of collective responsibility and social cohesion.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi has extended his heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to all Pakistanis on the auspicious occasion of Eidul Fitr.

In his message, he says that Eidul Fitr is a celebration of patience, sacrifice, compassion and gratitude to Allah Almighty, following the successful completion of Ramazan.

“This blessed occasion reminds us to uphold the values of piety, empathy, service to humanity and to carry forward the spirit of unity, tolerance and mutual respect in our collective and individual lives,” he noted.

“The true essence of Eid lies in inclusivity, social solidarity and compassion for those in need,” said the chief minister. He remarked that celebrating Eid without former prime minister Imran Khan was regrettable.

He stated that Imran Khan and his spouse continued to face unjust incarceration. He said that efforts for their release would be intensified and pursued through all constitutional and legal avenues.

He said that struggle for the supremacy of the Constitution and rule of law, establishment of genuine democracy, independence of the judiciary and promotion of free and responsible media would continue with renewed commitment.

Linking the spirit of Eid with national responsibility, the chief minister announced that on the third day of Eid, coinciding with Pakistan Day on March 23, a province-wide plantation drive would be undertaken, with a target of planting one million saplings across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said that the initiative was a continuation of Billion Tree Tsunami project, reinforcing the province’s leadership in environmental conservation. To encourage participation of people, an online application has been introduced, enabling citizens to upload videos and images of their plantation activities.

“The campaign will not only mobilise communities but will also showcase Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s afforestation efforts to the world,” said Mr Afridi. Highlighting the province’s environmental contribution, he said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accounted for approximately 45 per cent of the country’s forests, with forest cover now exceeding 26.5 per cent of the province’s total area.

He urged people to actively participate in the plantation campaign, emphasising that the province’s forests served as a critical ecological asset for the entire country.

Published in Dawn, March 23th, 2026