ATTOCK, Oct 3: Like in other parts of the country, Eidul Fitr was celebrated in the Attock district with religious zeal, fervour and peace on Wednesday.

Eid prayers were offered in mosques and open places in various parts of the district including Sanjwal, Kamra cantonments and Hazro.

The biggest Eid congregation was held at Eidgah in Attock city which was attended by about 10,000 people. Maulana Mufti Masood Ahmed, the district Khateeb, led the prayers. Other major congregations were held in Madina Masjid, Liaquet Ali Khan hockey stadium and Jamia Masjid Darulsalam colony.

Speaking on the occasion, the Ulema stressed the faithful to forge unity among their ranks and pray to Allah Almighty for the liberation of Kashmir, Palestine, Afghanistan and Iraq from the clutches of anti-Muslim powers.

They also condemned what they said the naked aggression of US forces in the tribal areas of Pakistan.

Special prayers were also offered for the students and others who were killed in the Jamia Hafsa/Lal Masjid operation in the federal capital last year.

The police had made special security arrangements throughout the district on the occasion.

Besides deputing policemen around religious palaces, law enforcers were also deployed at all sensitive points and other public places to avoid any untoward incident.

Most of political figures belonging to the district celebrated Eid in their native areas. MNA Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, MPA Malik Shahan Khan and PPP leader Malik Hakmeen Khan celebrated Eid in the Atock city while former state minister Malik Amin Aslam, chairman of the Punjab chief minister’s task force Shuja Khanzada, MPA Malik Khurram Ali Khan and district nazim Tahir Sadik celebrated Eid in their native villages.

There was a significant decrease in the local population, as a large number of people working in government offices and other establishments including PAC Kamra, Sanjwal ordinance factory, Ghazi Barotha hydropower project, artillery and Azad Kashmir regimental centres had left for their native towns to celebrate Eid with their families. Traffic in the city was also thin during the period.

TAXILA: Eidul Fitr was also celebrated with religious enthusiasm and fervour in Taxila, Wah Cantt and Hassanabdal aimed tight security.

Eid prayers were offered at Eidgahs, mosques and other places. In their sermons, the Ulema highlighted the philosophy of Eid and prayed for progress and solidarity of the country and the Muslim Ummah.

They also shed light on the blessings of Ramazan and stressed the faithful to follow the teachings of Islam so that problems of the Muslim Ummah could be resolved.

Armed forces stationed in these two cities also celebrated Eid with traditional zeal. Eid congregations were also held in the garrison mosques where senior serving and retired military officers offered Eid prayers with troops and prayed for the prosperity and well-being of the country.