Twin cities mark Eid-e-Milad with reverence

Flower sellers jack up prices by a whopping 500pc

RAWALPINDI:

Eid Miladun Nabi (PBUH) was marked with religious zeal and reverence in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Two main processions were carried out in Rawalpindi city and Cantonment, both starting at 9:30am and concluding by midnight.

Alongside these, 107 smaller processions were held across Rawalpindi district, categorised into A, B, and C groups. A robust security plan was implemented, with 5,000 police personnel deployed and mobile and internet services suspended throughout the day.

The processions, adorned with lights, flags, and banners, resembled a festive scene. Along the routes, participants were served food and beverages, including milk, jalebi, and tea. Reception camps, where Durood and Na'at recitations were held, offered langar (free food) to attendees. The Milad committees were recognised with awards for their decorations, and rose petals were showered on the processions from homes and buildings.

The Milad procession was led by prominent figures such as Pir Naqeebur Rehman, Hanif Abbasi, Daniyal Chaudhry, Ziaullah Shah, and Raja Asif. Security arrangements included the installation of 350 closed-circuit cameras and the establishment of a control room. Participants of all ages joined the processions, undeterred by the hot and humid morning weather, which later turned pleasant as a cool breeze blew in the afternoon.

Congregational prayers for Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha were offered at Fawara Chowk. As night fell and the lights were illuminated, families with children gathered to witness the city's decorations.

Despite significant price hikes in catering, record numbers of daigs (large rice pots) were prepared and distributed. Prices for various daigs, including vegetable, chickpea, chicken, beef, and mutton pilaf, ranged from Rs9,500 to Rs28,500, while the cost of haleem reached Rs29,000.

Flower sellers also raised their prices, with fresh rose petals priced at Rs550 per kilogramme.