As Pakistan celebrates Eid al-Adha today, millions of families across Punjab are performing the sacred Sunnah of sacrifice with devotion and gratitude. The sounds of takbeerat echo through neighbourhoods, filled with the spirit of sharing, as people gather to fulfil a religious obligation rooted in sacrifice, obedience and compassion. Yet alongside the joy and spiritual significance of Eid comes another important responsibility: keeping our surroundings clean and ensuring that the blessings of this occasion reach those who need them most.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has launched one of the largest and most organised cleanliness operations in the province’s history. The message from the government is simple and clear: Eid should bring happiness to people, not heaps of waste and unhygienic conditions in streets and surroundings.
Across Punjab, an extensive sanitation plan has been activated to manage the disposal of sacrificial waste efficiently and promptly. More than 176,000 sanitary workers and thousands of operational vehicles have been deployed under the “Suthra Punjab” initiative to ensure continuous waste collection throughout the three days of Eid. Collection points, dumping sites and temporary disposal centres have been established in cities, towns and villages to maintain cleanliness and prevent the spread of disease.
If citizens fulfil their responsibilities alongside the government’s efforts, Punjab can set a powerful example of both cleanliness and compassion.
The Punjab government has also adopted a strict policy against the irresponsible disposal of animal waste. Citizens throwing offal into streets, drains, canals or open public spaces would face fines. Vigilance teams and monitoring squads are active in different districts, while helplines and complaint centres remain operational around the clock. The objective is not merely to impose penalties but to create public awareness that cleanliness is a shared civic and religious duty. Islam places extraordinary emphasis on cleanliness. Our faith teaches us that purity is part of iman. Eid ul Adha is not only about sacrificing animals; it is also about discipline, responsibility and consideration for others. Leaving waste in streets, blocking drainage systems or creating foul smells in neighbourhoods goes against the very spirit of this sacred occasion.
What deserves appreciation is that the Punjab government has attempted to approach the challenge in a systematic manner. Roads, markets, mosques, graveyards and public spaces were cleaned before Eid prayers, while sanitation teams remained on standby in all districts. Special arrangements have also been made at cattle markets to reduce health risks and maintain hygiene standards. Such efforts reflect an important shift towards organised urban management and responsive governance.
However, no government operation, regardless of its scale, can succeed without public cooperation. The responsibility does not belong to sanitary workers alone. Every household must play its role by using designated waste bags, cooperating with collection teams and avoiding careless disposal practices. A clean Punjab cannot be achieved through government machinery alone; it requires collective public behaviour.
At the same time, Eid al-Adha reminds us of another equally important obligation: caring for the less fortunate around us. The essence of qurbani lies not in display, but in sharing. In many homes across Pakistan, meat is considered a luxury that families can only afford on Eid days. For widows, labourers, daily-wage workers, orphaned children and struggling families, this occasion arrives with hope and expectation.
Islam beautifully instructs believers to distribute qurbani meat among relatives, neighbours and the poor. This teaching carries immense social wisdom. It strengthens community bonds, reduces hardship and ensures that the joy of Eid is shared collectively rather than enjoyed in isolation. In today’s economic circumstances, when inflation has placed enormous pressure on ordinary households, the importance of generosity has increased even further.
This Eid, people should look beyond their immediate circles. There may be families in nearby katchi abadis, elderly people living alone, sanitation workers performing duties in the heat or labourers away from their hometowns who deserve to be remembered. Sharing quality meat, offering meals and extending kindness can bring dignity and happiness to countless individuals.
It is equally important to acknowledge the tireless sanitary staff spending their Eid on roads and streets instead of with their families. Their work protects public health and preserves the cleanliness of our cities during one of the busiest periods of the year. They deserve appreciation, respect and humane treatment from society.
Eid al-Adha is ultimately a lesson in sacrifice, humility and service to humanity. Clean streets, disciplined civic behaviour and compassion for the underprivileged are all reflections of the values this sacred day teaches us. If citizens fulfil their responsibilities alongside the government’s efforts, Punjab can set a powerful example of both cleanliness and compassion.
This Eid, let us not only protect the cleanliness of our surroundings, but also purify our hearts through generosity, responsibility and care for others. That is the true spirit of Eid al-Adha.
The writer is a Lahore-based public policy analyst and can be reached at [email protected].