Pakistanis are commemorating Eid ul Adha with religious zeal and fervour today, with enormous prayer gatherings arranged in mosques, Eidgahs, and open spaces.
Special prayers have been offered for national security, prosperity, and the welfare of fellow Muslims, particularly those in Palestine.
To prevent any unfortunate incidents, strict security precautions were implemented on the occasion.
Various cities and municipalities made particular preparations for the disposal of carcasses and other solid waste items over the course of three days.
Animal sacrifices will continue over the next three days of Eid. Citizens will make individual and communal sacrifices in the way of the Almighty. The sacrifice meat will also be distributed among the poor and needy.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the nation and the Muslim Ummah on the occasion, emphasizing the spirit of sacrifice and compassion that accompanies it.
In his Eid address, Zardari prayed to Almighty Allah to shower the Muslim world and Pakistan with blessings and happiness. He stated that Eid recalled the willingness of two Prophets of Allah, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS), to sacrifice their most prized belongings for the delight of Allah.
He encouraged everyone to share the joy of Eid with people around them, particularly those who couldn't participate because of financial difficulties.
In a separate message, Prime Minister Shehbaz said that Eidul Azha aims to sacrifice one's personal ambitions in order to attain greater goals. He asked Almighty Allah to "grant us the happiness of Eidul Azha and grant us the opportunity to act" in the spirit of sacrifice.
"On the blessed occasion of Eidul Azha, we have to take care of our brothers and sisters who cannot afford to sacrifice, so that our countrymen and brothers and sisters, who are economically weak, can also celebrate these joys," PM Shehbaz stated.