ISLAMABAD: People celebrated Eidul Fitr with religious fervour and zeal. However, the Eid was celebrated with simplicity in view of Ahmedpur Sharqia oil tragedy and recent terrorist attacks in Quetta, Parachinar and Karachi. The day dawned with special prayers for security, progress and prosperity of the country. Eid congregations were held at open places‚ mosques and eidgahs in Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. In their sermons, ulema and religious scholars highlighted the significance and philosophy of Eidul Fitr and the need to share its happiness with the poor. In Islamabad, the main Eid congregation was held at Faisal Mosque where President Mamnoon Hussain offered Eid prayers. A large number of people including parliamentarians, ministers and envoys of Islamic countries also offered Eid prayers at the Faisal Mosque. Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai offered Eid prayers in Killa Abdullah while Chief Minister Sanaullah Khan Zehri offered Eid prayer in Khuzdar. In Lahore, the biggest congregation of Eid prayer was held at Badshahi Masjid Lahore. However, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif offered Eid prayers in Bahawalpur. In Gilgit-Baltistan, Eid congregations were held in Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Ghizer, Astore and other parts of the region. People exchanged greetings after Eid prayers. In Peshawar, main congregation of Eid-ul-Fitr was held at Eidgah Charsadda Road, Peshawar. Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Iqbal Zafar Jhagra offered Eid prayer at Governor House Peshawar. Chief Minister Pervez Khattak offered Eid prayer in district Nowshera and exchanged Eid greetings with people. Similarly, Eid congregations were also held in FATA. In Karachi, Governor Sindh Muhammad Zubair offered prayer at Polo Ground Gulshan-e-Jinnah. Like other parts of the country, Eid-ul Fitr was also celebrated in Azad Kashmir with religious fervour and zeal. Special prayers were offered for the unity of Muslims, stability and solidarity of Pakistan and liberation of occupied Jammu and Kashmir. People thronged to the public parks, picnic spots and zoo. Special security arrangements were in place to avoid any untoward incident. Published in Daily Times, June 29th, 2017.