PESHAWAR: Eid-ul-Fitr was officially celebrated in major parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including provincial capital Peshawar, all the seven tribal agencies and six frontier regions on Sunday.
The decision to celebrate Eid came as the Zonal Ruet e Hilal Committee Saturday night after receiving 20 evidences of the sighting of Shawal moons, announced observance of Eid-ul-Fitr.
The central Eid congregation was held at Eid Gah where Provincial Khateeb Maulana Roohullah Madni led the prayer. Eid prayer was attended by large number of the people including Federal Minister for Railways and ANP Leader Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour. Special prayer was offered for integrity and solidarity of the country on the occasion.
In Peshawar, Eid-ul-fitr prayer was offered in over 200 mosques. Except cantonment areas, Eid was celebrated in every nook and corner of the provincial capital.
Reports emanating from other parts of the province said Eid was celebrated in Mardan, Charsadda, Swabi, Nowshera, Kohat, Hangu, Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Tank districts and in some pockets of Malakand agency, Swat, Dir Upper and Dir Lower, DI Khan.
While Hazara Division comprising Abbotabad, Haripur, Mansehra, Bartagram and Kohistan districts was fasting on Sunday. Chitral also observed the 30th day of fasting, like rest of the country.
The issue of when to celebrate Eid has also divided the top government officials of the province. The Chief Minister celebrated Eid today while the Governor will celebrate Eid along with the rest of the country on Monday.
Federal Minister for Railways in a brief chat after Eid prayers told the media that central Ruet e Hilal Committee did not accept the evidences provided by the people of the province.
Those who celebrated Eid are also respected and those fasting are also respected for us, he explained. Bilour said Eid is a religious festival and should not be politicized.
The Central Ruet e Hilal Committee headed by Mufti Muneebur Rehman had announced observance of Eid ul Fitr on Monday.