Karachi: The residents of Karachi celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr on Saturday with unprecedented fervour, reverence and traditional festivity. Eid congregations in Karachi started from 6 AM. The main Eid congregation was held at Gulshan-e-Jinnah (Old Polo Ground), where Governor Sindh Muhammad Zubair, high ranking officials and diplomats of Islamic countries offered Eid prayer. Eid congregations were also held at Nishtar Park, National Stadium, Eidgah Nazimabad and T-Ground and other parts of the city. Special attention was paid to security arrangements to maintain a peaceful environment in the city. Sindh Rangers personnel were deployed outside mosques and other places of worship. The Shawwal moon could not be sighted on Thursday after which the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee had announced that Eid-ul-Fitr would be celebrated on Saturday. In Pakistan, the holy month of Ramazan had begun on Thursday, May 17. After Eid prayer, the Sindh governor exchanged Eid greetings with the people. Talking to media persons on the occasion, he extended Eid greetings to the whole nation. President Mamnoon Hussain offered the prayer of Eid ul Fitr at the State Guest House in Karachi. The president prayed for peace, progress and prosperity of the country. Later, the president met people and exchanged eid felicitations with them. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also sent his deepest wishes and felicitation on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. “I wish to felicitate the Muslims throughout the world in general and of Pakistan in particular on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr,” said the PPP chairman in a message on the eve of the festive occasion. He added that this Eid Muslims should also ponder over the challenges to their unity and close their ranks. He also called to remember the destitute and less fortunate and all those who had laid down their lives in the fight against militancy for the sake of peace in the country. “May the blessings of Ramazan that has just ended remain with all of you for the whole year” said Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Met Director Abdul Rasheed had predicted light rain in Karachi on June 16 and June 17, the first two days of Eid-ul-Fitr. It was said that sea breeze would also bring the temperature down in the metropolis over the weekend. Karachi saw light drizzle on June 15, a few hours after the last sehri of Ramazan. The weather remained pleasant in northern areas of the country and it rained on Sunday, the second day of Eid-ul-Fitr. In Karachi, the weather switched between cloudy and sunny, encouraging citizens to spend the second day of Eid outdoors. Published in Daily Times, June 19th 2018.