PESHAWAR: Eidul Fitr was celebrated across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with religious fervour on Saturday.
The festival saw added enthusiasm this year as the official Ruet-e-Hilal Committee and a private moon-sighting body at Qasim Khan Mosque unanimously declared that Eidul Fitr would be observed on the same day.
KP Chief Khateeb Maulana Muhammad Tayyab Qureshi led the main congregational prayers at the Mughal-era Eidgah in Faqirabad.
Prayers were offered as well at other mosques, including Mahabat Khan Mosque, Qasim Ali Khan Mosque, Gunj Ali Khan Mosque, and Dilawar Khan Mosque, along with several others across Peshawar and other parts of the province.
Khateebs urged people to forge unity to face the challenges confronting the country. Special prayers were offered for peace and stability in the region, solidarity of the Muslim Ummah, and national unity.
Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi offered Eidul Fitr prayers in his native town of Bara in Khyber tribal district. He exchanged Eid greetings with people and shook hands with them.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi offered Eidul Fitr prayers at the Governor’s House. Officials, including Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, Governor’s House staff, and political and social figures offered the congregation.
In his message, the governor felicitated the entire nation and the Muslim Ummah, particularly the people of KP. He hoped that the auspicious occasion would bring happiness, mercy, and blessings for all.
The governor emphasized that the nation must demonstrate unity, tolerance, and responsibility in the prevailing circumstances. He said maintaining peace and law and order was a collective responsibility and urged citizens to continue cooperating with security forces.
He urged people to remember the families of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country and to include underprivileged segments of society in Eid celebrations.
The provincial police ensured strict security during prayers at mosques, with significant deployment during the holidays.
According to the Associated Press of Pakistan, Peshawar Zoo became a major recreational centre during the Eid holidays, attracting large crowds, especially children.
Ibrahim Khan, 7, a third-grade student, said he was delighted after visiting the zoo, where wild animals kept in a natural-like environment drew large numbers of visitors.
“I am very impressed to see rare wild animals kept in a natural environment, along with facilities for visitors at the zoo,” he said while observing falcons.
Like Ibrahim, thousands of children, along with their relatives, visited the zoo during the holidays and showed keen interest in animals and birds.
The species remained a centre of attraction for children, youth, and families arriving from different districts of KP, who spent hours in its relaxing environment while enjoying food on its sprawling lawns.
Children, accompanied by their parents, were briefed by wildlife officials about the animals and birds at the zoo, which is spread over 29 acres near the University of Peshawar.
A safari bus was available to help visitors view the animals in a short time, along with a restaurant providing food services.
A good number of children turned to Gor Khatree locality where they enjoyed swings and horse riding at the road on the northern side of the archaeological complex.
Families flocked to the Chacha Younas Family Park at Hashtnagri where women and children had the recreational moments.
