Eid an occasion to share smiles

KARACHI - Karachiites will celebrate the Eidul Fitr on Monday (today) with religious zeal and fervour.

The metropolis is usually known as an economic hub of the country with having rich traditional values as well. Due to the diversity of city’s culture, events like Eid are seen in various vibrant colours. The Karachi Municipal Corporation has also announced the arrangements on the occasion in various parks and Sea View. 

A night before Eid day (Chaand Raat), thousands of youth are seen on roads and markets engaged in shopping. People on self-help basis clean streets and avenues, while the KMC administration of all the districts launch cleanliness drives under which all the main locations and roads of the towns are cleaned with the help of manpower and machinery.

Citizens were also rushed to bakeries, fruit vendors and flower shops, as these items are the part of Eid tradition. Businesses of sweet shops have also reached to their peaks and before Eid day as people purchases wreaths, bouquets and other items in a large number for their beloved ones. Though masses go to amusement parks along with their children, temporary play lands and festivals are also organised in almost all areas of the city, particularly in lower middle localities.

On the auspicious occasions like Eid, professional beggars proved themselves as a curse for the metropolis. They perturb the citizens as they take Eid as an opportunity to mint money and even do not refrain themselves from using offensive means for the purpose. It is also pertinent to mention here that at the time when entire nation is engaged in celebrating the joys and happiness of Eid, there are several eyes which are bleeding in remembrance of their beloved ones who were killed for unknown reasons and are yet waiting for justice. Internally Displaced People (IDPs), who left their houses due to huge floods in the province, are celebrating Eid with hunger and desperation at relief camps set up in various areas of the City.

Eid is being celebrated by everyone in various styles, some families are celebrating it in the absence of their heads, who are engage in labour abroad. Abrar, a driver who deals in intercity transport, said that he hardly manages to spend two to four hours with his family on Eid and at same times, he had to spend Eid in driving a bus from Karachi to Peshawar. On the same pattern, law-enforcement agencies personnel will also spend their Eid on the roads of the metropolis. All important public and private buildings, including shopping centres, have been decorated and illuminated. The roads and streets of the city especially those approaching Eidgahs, mosques and Imambargahs have been washed and cleaned.

According to the police, fool-proof security arrangements have been made to ensure safety of life and property of the citizens. The police and Rangers will also be deployed at mosques, Imambargahs and eidgahs.

Eid prayers will be held in many mosques, Eidgahs and Imambargahs of the city. The government functionaries, politicians and elite of the city will perform prayers in their respective residential areas.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan will perform Eidul Fitr at Gulshan-e-Jinnah (Old Polo Ground) near the Governor House.

After Eid prayers, from 0900 to 0930 hours, he will met senior officers of armed forces. From 0930 to 1130 hours, he will meet general public, civil and military officers and prominent citizens and exchange Eid greetings with them.  Wife of the Governor Ms Shahina Ebad Khan will meet women at the Governor House from 0930 to 1130. Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah will celebrate Eid in his native town Khairpur Mirs. There, he will meet the general public, politicians and elite of the area, and exchange Eid greetings.