The country celebrated Eidul Azha on Saturday, with leaders urging unity and selflessness, and emphasising the importance of promoting values of sacrifice, love, and brotherhood.

Congregational prayers were held at mosques, Eidgahs and open places in all cities, towns and villages across the country.

The municipal administrations in cities and towns made special arrangements for the disposal of offal and other post-qurbani solid waste during the three days of Eidul Azha, and to ensure cleanliness.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended heartfelt congratulations to the entire Pakistani nation and the Muslim Ummah around the world on the occasion of Eidul Azha.

They emphasised the importance of promoting values of sacrifice, love, brotherhood, and unity in the nation’s behaviour.

In his message, the president said that the day revives in people the spirit of faith, sacrifice, selflessness, and brotherhood.

“He called for drawing lessons from the spirit of sacrifice and selflessness shown by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and integrating them into our lives,” Radio Pakistan said.

He said there was a pressing need to support the underprivileged and marginalised segments of our society. “Along with the act of animal sacrifice, Eid calls upon us to make a solemn pledge to always care for those in need.”

Zardari said as a nation, we must support each other, share in each other’s sorrows, and work together to build a prosperous and great Pakistan.

PM Shehbaz said, “The message of Eidul Azha is not limited to the sacrifice of animals alone, it also teaches us to sacrifice our ego, desires, and personal interests for higher purposes.

“As our beloved homeland, Pakistan, moves forward on the path of development, we must embrace the spirit of unity, sacrifice, and selflessness.”

He said this Eid teaches us not only the importance of sacrificing life and wealth but also that nations achieve greatness when they work for collective welfare and selflessness alongside individual development.

PM Shehbaz continued, “Today, we must especially remember our Palestinian brothers and sisters who are enduring ruthless and inhumane oppression and hunger.”

He added: “Likewise, we reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with the brave people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, who have been engaged in a just and courageous struggle for their right to self-determination for decades.”

The prime minister, along with former chief minister Hamza Shehbaz, offered prayers in Lahore’s Model Town.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, in a statement, extended their profound felicitations to the people of Pakistan.

“On this day of reverence, they also honoured the noble families of Shuhada-e-Pakistan, whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of peace and the nation,” the statement said.

“Eidul Azha is a sacred time of reflection, sacrifice, and unity. May this blessed occasion foster harmony across our society and reinforce the spirit of solidarity that binds us as one indomitable nation.

“The Pakistan Armed Forces stand resolutely with the people, united in purpose and steadfast in their sacred duty to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.”

The army chief also visited forward positions along the Line of Control to celebrate Eidul Azha with frontline troops.

The Inter Services Public Relations said the visit commenced with Eid prayers, during which special supplications were made for the country’s enduring peace, stability and prosperity, as well as for martyrs.

“Extending warm Eid greetings to the officers and men, the field marshal commended their unwavering commitment, professional excellence, and steadfast service in the face of persistent challenges. The COAS expressed that celebrating Eid on the frontline away from their families serves the superior national purpose of defending the motherland at all costs throughout the year.”

The army chief also lauded the formation’s “exemplary performance” during the recent military escalation with India and paid tribute to the martyrs during the period.

“You have befittingly avenged the loss of lives of innocent Pakistani civilians, including children, women and elderly through your bold and effective response,” the army chief was quoted as saying by the ISPR.

While interacting with the troops, the army chief also expressed “deep appreciation for their high morale, exceptional operational readiness, and resolute vigilance in responding effectively to Indian ceasefire violations”. He reiterated complete confidence in the battle preparedness of the armed forces to “decisively deter and defeat any act of aggression”.

The ISPR added that underscoring Pakistan’s principled stance, the field marshal affirmed that the “just and valiant” struggle of the Kashmiri people against Indian occupation would never be forgotten. He emphasised the need for the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with the aspirations of its people and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Former prime minister Imran Khan shared a message on X, wishing all Pakistanis on the occasion of Eid and calling upon them to “step out in the path of truth” in the true spirit of Eidul Azha.

First Lady and PPP MNA Aseefa Bhutto Zardari also extended Eid greetings and congratulated those who were able to complete the pilgrimage of Haj.

“Heartfelt congratulations to all those who have completed their sacred pilgrimage. May our prayers be answered and our sacrifices accepted. As we celebrate, let us also remember the less fortunate. May our compassion reach those in need,” she said in a post on X.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also wished “Eid Mubarak to all Pakistanis and the Muslim world on the joyous occasion of Eidul Azha,” in a post on X.

PM, FM exchange Eid greetings with foreign leaders

PM Shehbaz called his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim and exchanged Eid greetings, Radio Pakistan reported.

Both leaders prayed for peace and the safety of Palestinians in Gaza. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation between both countries in trade, investment, and culture.

PM Shehbaz expressed gratitude to the Malaysian leader for his stance during the Pakistan-India crisis, calling for de-escalation and dialogue.

He underscored that Pakistan always strove for regional peace and stability, but was left with no option but to respond decisively to India’s military aggression.

He further said that Pakistan accepted the ceasefire understanding, brokered by the US and other friendly countries, in the interest of regional peace and security.

He reiterated that Pakistan was ready for dialogue with India on all outstanding issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

Shehbaz also called Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon to exchange Eid greetings and thanked the Central Asian state for its balanced position calling for peace and dialogue during the recent Pakistan-India crisis.

He emphasised that Pakistan always strove to maintain peace and security in the region and agreed to the ceasefire with India. The Tajik president appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace and security.

Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was also called by the premier and conveyed Eid greetings.

PM Shehbaz thanked the emir’s proactive diplomacy and constructive role in de-escalating tensions between Pakistan and India during the recent crisis.

The two leaders also reiterated their common desire to expand ties between both countries, particularly through mutually beneficial trade and investment.

Meanwhile, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called the foreign ministers of friendly countries, including Azerbaijan, Turkiye and Egypt, to exchange Eid greetings.

Dar spoke with Azeri Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

He also held a telephone conversation with Turkish FM Hakan Fidan and exchanged Eid greetings and “prayed for peace and well-being of the Palestinian people and the entire Ummah”.

The foreign minister called his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty and both “prayed for peace, prosperity and welfare of the Muslims across the world, particularly in Gaza”.