KARACHI: The entire nation is celebrating Eid after a formal announcement yesterday that the moon of the month of Shawwal had been sighted, DawnNews reported.

Earlier on Monday, the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee had made the announcement that the moon of the month of Shawwal had been sighted and that Eidul Fitr would be celebrated on Tuesday.

Eidul Fitr marks the culmination of the Holy month of Ramazan. Ramazan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar during which Muslims across the world observe 30 days of fasting.

The announcement was made by Chairman of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, Mufti Munib-ur-Rehman, after chairing the meeting of the committee in Karachi.

Rehman said confirmations of moon sighting had been received from many parts of the country.

Various zonal Ruet-i-Hilal committees also held meetings in major cities of the country to sight the moon, while the Central Ruet-i-Hilal committee met in Karachi.

Army chief offers Eid prayers in Miramshah

According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif offered Eid prayers in Miramshah, the capital of North Waziristan tribal region and later departed for Islamabad.

Earlier, the army chief had arrived in North Waziristan to celebrate Eid with troops engaged in the Zarb-i-Azb operation against foreign and local militants.

Gen Sharif addressed troops engaged in military operation Zarb-i-azb advised them to stay focused on speedy and skillful conduct of operation against all terrorists.

"Now that their command and communication infrastructure has been disrupted, we will never allow them to return", the ISPR quoted the army chief as instructing the troops.

He also addressed on regarding the need to strengthen our border mechanism to prevent any infiltration from across the border which could possibly undermine the effectiveness of the ongoing operation.

The ISPR statement added that Gen Sharif paid rich tribute to the martyrs and the wounded, who have rendered sacrifices for the defence of the country.

“We will not step back from eradicating the menace of terrorism from the country", Sharif said.

The Operation Commander briefed the COAS on progress of the operation.

The COAS appreciated the high state of morale, courage and determination of the armed forces in execution of the operation.

Gen Sharif visited the camps of the internally displaced people from Bannu to spend time with tribal internally displaced persons (IDPs) from NWA.

While speaking to IDPs, the army chief assured them that the whole nation and army were committed to support and provide them not only relief but also an effective plan for resettling them.

He also appreciated the troops and all other agencies involved in facilitating the IDP for their immense hard work.

The army chief hoped that with an improved coordination between all stakeholders involved at various levels, relief work will further improve ensuring better resource mobilisation and distribution.

PM Nawaz, President Mamnoon urge nation to help IDPs

On the occasion of Eid, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain have called upon the people to help IDPs from North Waziristan.

In their Eid messages, the two leaders wished the entire nation and appealed to the people to involve IDPs into their Eid festivities.

The leaders saluted all those martyred in the war, adding that Pakistan Army soldiers had rendered immense sacrifices for peace and security in the country.

The two leaders said the country must support the government's efforts to end unrest in the country.

President Mamnoon Hussain met with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) Gen Rashad Mahmood, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Asif Sandila and Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt.

The chiefs of the country's defence forces felicitated the president on the occasion of Eidul Fitr.

Eid prayers offered across country

The main Eid congregation in the federal capital was held at the Faisal Mosque. A large number of people, including parliamentarians, officials and envoys of Muslim countries and high officials offered prayers. President Mamnoon offered Eid prayers at the Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad.

Meanwhile, Chairman Senate Nayyer Hussain Bukhari and Minister for States and Frontier Regions Abdul Qadir Baloch also offered Eid prayer with the president.

The main congregation in Lahore was held at Badshahi Mosque where Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar offered prayers while Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif offered Eid prayers at Model Town in Lahore.

In the port city of Karachi, Eid prayers were held at more than 500 places. The main congregations were held at Gulshan-e-Jinnah (old Polo ground), Nishtar Park, T-Ground, Federal-B area and Eidgah Nazimabad. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan offered Namaz-e-Eid at Governor House.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Nasirul Mulk offered Eid prayers at his native village Gul Kada village in Mingora Swat.