ISLAMABAD: Muslims living across the country are celebrating Eid Miladun Nabi today on the 12th of Rabi ul Awal with religious fervour and enthusiasm while the government has finalised security arrangements for all major districts.
The national holiday will dawn with the offering of special prayers for the unity of Muslim Ummah, progress and prosperity of the country. Children are planning to celebrate the auspicious occasion by joining their elders.
The houses, shops, private and government buildings, mosques and shrines have already been illuminated and decorated with flags and buntings to commemorate the Day.
Special dishes will be prepared at homes and people were planning to distribute food among their neighbours, relatives and needy people. Hundreds of Mehafil-e-Milad and ceremonies have also been organised by different religious, social, academic organisations besides, finalising the plan of holding processions in all cities, towns and villages of the country.
Religious scholars will deliver speeches in mosques and at different venues to highlight different aspects of the life of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW). Participants of the Milad processions were planning to pin badges on their chests and decorate their motorcycles and cars with green flags to show their love and reverence for Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).
Various organisations have planned to establish medical camps to facilitate the participants of the processions. Rescue 1122 Emergency Service, Bomb Disposal Squad, Fire Brigade, Civil Defence and police personnel will remain alert to deal with any untoward incident.
Security plans have been devised for Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi and other major cities.
ISLAMABAD:
According to plan devised by the Islamabad police, the police including Rangers and personnel of other law enforcement agencies will conduct patrolling and security duties on this occasion and main procession will start from Sector G-7.
As many as 2,000 cops including 250 traffic wardens will perform security duties in Islamabad on Eid Miladun Nabi while special teams of Rangers, CID and Special Branch police will also assist in their duties.
Police personnel were being deployed to provide security at mosques and around processions.
RAWALPINDI:
The Rawalpindi District Police planning to deploy 4000 cops in the district to ensure security for the processions. Over 2000 cops besides Traffic Wardens, Punjab Constabulary, Elite Force, Special Branch, Mohafiz Squad, Ladies Police personnel and volunteers would provide security cover to the main Eid Miladun Nabi procession of Rawalpindi city.
As many as 570 traffic wardens including 490 traffic officers, 47 inspectors, seven deputy superintendents of police and 27 traffic assistants would regulate traffic on city roads on 12 Rabi-ul-Awal.
LAHORE:
The security arrangements for Lahore have been finalised by Punjab Inspector General of Police Amjad Javed Saleemi.
The IGP decided to depute 57,445 officers/ officials to perform duties across Punjab for protection of 1,821 Mehfil-e-Milad and 2,004 processions. Among these, 410 gazetted officer, 930 inspectors, 2,848 sub-inspectors, 4,804 ASIs, 4,251 head constables 36,161 constables, 7,860 Police Qaumi Razakar (PQR) and 2,181 special police officials are included.
As many as 183 walk-through gates, 7,733 metal detectors and 1,636 CCTV cameras would be installed to protect these Mahafil and processions.
The IGP directed the DPOs that they should personally ensure surveillance and monitoring of all security duties, particularly at sensitive places in their respective districts.
All field officers were also directed to deploy the given force around streets, markets, government buildings, important roads and highways, Banks, Mosques, Darbars and holy places so that each citizen can celebrate this Holy day with satisfaction and without any fear.
KARACHI:
Preparations for Eid Miladun Nabi are also in full swing in Karachi with all major thoroughfares being specially decorated by the citizens through the platforms of religious organisations and trade/business bodies.
The celebrations in the air marked by adequate security arrangements coupled with extra efforts being made by concerned civic agencies to ensure cleanliness with equal attention towards no disruption of power supply is a cause of joy for many.
However, unannounced closure of roads, particularly MA Jinnah Road, has compelled many of the drivers including those of public buses to adopt alternate routes that are yet to be notified by the authorities hence causing inconvenience to the commuters.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has said that the security arrangements for Eid Miladun Nabi have been made in consultation with the Ulema who have always helped the government in promoting interfaith and sectarian harmony in the province.
Shah said that there were two dedicated old routes for the Eid Miladun Nabi procession; one starts from Tower and ends at Aram Bagh while the other starts from Memon Masjid and goes till Numaish. “The administration has received more applications for processions and it has been directed to entertain them on merit,” he said.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE:
President Dr Arif Alvi stressed upon following the teachings of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W) for the establishment of a welfare society.
In a message on Eid Miladun Nabi, the president underlined the need for prioritising the religious, national and collective interests for transforming the affairs of the state on the pattern of Riasat-e-Madina.
In this connection, the president called for a change in the individual and collective thoughts and attitudes.
President Alvi felicitated the Millat-e-Islamia and the nation on the auspicious day and prayed for gaining the blessings in this holy month.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry extended his joyous felicitations to all Muslims at the birthday of holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
“The birthday (Eid Milad un Nabi) of the unrivalled benefactor of humanity, messenger of Almighty Allah and the flag bearer of the great religion of Islam Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) celebrated all over the Muslim World and with unprecedented devotion in Pakistan reminds us of the golden principles of Islam which were illustrated in the sublime way of life that he led. His life was an indeed an embodiment of what Islam stood for,” he said.
The info minister said “this day makes us comprehend the significance of the lofty values of sacrifice, tolerance, brotherhood and unity among the Muslim Ummah.”
Former President Asif Ali Zardari also asked the people to ponder and reflect on the auspicious day.
“On this auspicious day while we rejoice in the birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) today we should also reflect on how far we have deviated from his preaching of tolerance and understanding.
He would never have preached violence in his name. The violence witnessed recently in his name must make us pause and reflect.
“On this occasion let us also pray to Allah to grant us collective wisdom to imbibe the true spirit of his message of love, tolerance and humility and to follow it in letter and spirit”.
The need for imbibing the virtues propounded by the Prophet (peace be upon him) has never been as great as it is today, the former president said.
“May Allah give us the wisdom and guide us on the path to dedicate ourselves to his teachings and rekindle our souls with the light lit by him.”
