ISLAMABAD, Feb 8: The capital police on Saturday cancelled Eid holidays of police personnel and directed them to remain vigilant during Eid days.

The decision was taken after the federal government directed all provincial governments to cancel Eid holidays of police personnel to maintain law during Eidul Azha, an interior ministry official told Dawn on Saturday.

He said the provinces had assured the federal government that the police personnel would remain on duty during Eid days.

The government has also ordered for the deployment of police commandos and guards of private security agencies at all Eidgahs, mosques and Imambargahs where Eid prayer will be offered.

The official said army would remain standby in barracks and could be called out any where in the country on the request of relevant district governments or local administration.

Meanwhile, interior minister Faisal Saleh Hayat has directed Islamabad police to take effective steps to to control incidents of theft and other crimes during the Eid.

The minister issued these directives during his visit to different city areas like Margalla Road, F-10 Markaz, F-9 Fatima Jinnah Park and Super Market. He called for beautifying the capital through an organized tree-plantation campaign.

He directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to keep the city clean and ensure proper disposal of garbage and remains of animals to be sacrificed on Eid.

The minister asked the authority to improve city parks as a large number of people visited these spots on Eid.