ISLAMABAD: Eid al-Fitr was celebrated across Pakistan on Saturday with deep religious fervor, as thousands gathered in mosques, Eid grounds, and open spaces to offer special prayers and seek blessings for peace and unity.

Large congregations were held in major cities including Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, and the federal capital Islamabad. Clerics, in their sermons, emphasized unity, patience, gratitude, and social harmony while offering prayers for the country’s security, progress, and the well-being of the Muslim world.

Worshippers, dressed in new or clean clothes and following prophetic traditions, attended prayers early in the morning. The atmosphere turned festive afterward, as people embraced each other and exchanged Eid greetings, reflecting a strong sense of brotherhood.

At homes, families prepared traditional dishes such as sweet vermicelli, milk-based desserts, rice dishes, and kebabs. Children, dressed in colorful outfits, appeared excited as they received gifts and “Eidi,” while parks, markets, and recreational spots saw increased crowds celebrating the occasion.

Authorities implemented heightened security measures nationwide, deploying additional police and law enforcement personnel and tightening checks at entry and exit points to ensure public safety.

Meanwhile, Eid was observed a day earlier in Saudi Arabia and several Gulf countries, where massive gatherings took place at Islam’s holiest sites. Saudi King Salman extended greetings to Muslims worldwide, reaffirming commitment to global peace and unity.