Nation celebrates Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) with religious fervour

Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) is being observed across Pakistan on Saturday with religious fervour and solemnity, with nationwide prayers, processions, and special events marking 12th Rabial ul Awwal.

The day began with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and a 21-gun salute in each provincial capital. Special prayers were offered after Fajr for the unity of the Muslim Ummah and the country’s progress and prosperity.

This year, the government has made special arrangements to mark the occasion as the 1,500th blessed birth anniversary of the Prophet, corresponding with the Islamic year 1447 Hijri. The move followed a resolution passed unanimously in both houses of parliament.

Mosques, streets and public buildings were decorated with lights, while processions and gatherings were held across the country. Religious scholars addressed congregations highlighting the Prophet’s teachings of peace, compassion and unity.

President, PM greet nation on 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif greeted the nation and Muslim Ummah on Eid Milad-ul-Nabi. In their individual messages, they urged people to pledge to mold individual and collective lives in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

In his message, the prime minister called on the nation to renew its commitment to building Pakistan in line with the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). He also called for rejecting all forms of prejudice, sectarianism, extremism, and hatred, and intead to promote qualities like empathy, solidarity, and harmony amonst all citizens.

Milad gathergings are to be held both at government and private levels. Naat reciters will present tributes in honor of the Holy Prophet (PUBH).

Tight security in Rawalpindi

More than 6,000 police officers and personnel have been deployed across Rawalpindi to ensure the security of processions. At the entry points, walk-through gates have been installed, and participants are being allowed entry after body searches.

Security arrangements have been made for the main procession as well as 105 smaller processions taking place in the city. Police mobiles, Elite Force special teams, Dolphin Force, and Muhafiz Force are carrying out patrols and security duties in their respective areas.

The main procession will pass through Banni Chowk, Circular Road, Waris Khan, Murree Road, Committee Chowk, Iqbal Road, Bohar Bazaar, Fawara Chowk, Raja Bazaar, and Ding Khoi Chowk before concluding at Jamia Masjid Road. Streets, roads, and alleys along the procession route have been sealed for security.

For effective traffic management, more than 530 traffic officers have been assigned duties, while over 2,400 officers and personnel have been specifically deployed for the main procession.

CPO Syed Khalid Hamdani said participants will only be allowed entry through designated points. The processions are being monitored through Safe City cameras and other surveillance systems, while snipers have been deployed on rooftops as a precautionary measure.

According to Vice President of the Milad Committee, Hafiz Hassan Fareedi, the main Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession in Rawalpindi will be inaugurated outside the historic Jamia Masjid.

“The inaugural ceremony will be attended by district administration officials, Central Milad Committee members, scholars, and religious leaders,” Hafiz Hassan Fareedi said. The administration has placed a ban on music-based Naat groups and large vehicles in the procession.

Punjab cities illuminated 

Eid Milad-un-Nabi is being marked with extensive lighting arrangements in Punjab. In Lahore and other cities, buildings and public spaces have been illuminated with green lights, while neon signs displaying the names of Allah and the Holy Prophet (PBUH), as well as images of Masjid-e-Nabawi and the crescent and star, were installed.

Read: Pakistan prepares to celebrate Eid Milad-un-Nabi with religious fervour

In Lahore, five major processions will take place under the supervision of senior traffic officers. Approximately 1,100 traffic wardens have been deployed, supported by traffic response units and breakdown vehicles, to manage congestion and prevent illegal parking.

Authorities urged citizens to maintain decorum and follow traffic regulations during the events. The CTO emphasised that the day reflects brotherhood, peace and the teachings of Islam, while highlighting the importance of discipline and order in public life.

Over 4,400 police deployed in Karachi

Police have finalized security arrangements for 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal processions deploying 4,480 officers and personnel across the city. The police chief instructed that all procession routes remain under strict vigilance, with traffic police ensuring smooth flow of vehicles.

Mosques, streets, buildings, and intersections throughout the city have been beautifully decorated with colorful illuminations, green flags, and images of the Green Dome of the Masjid-e-Nabvi.

Particularly the old city area with communities steep in traditional celebration of the event, the air is resonating with Na'ats and Durood. People compete in decorating lanes and houses. Free food and juices distribution is widespread around Burns Road, MA Jinnah Road, Karadar, Lyari, Liaquatabad and other such areas.

The high point of the day remains the main rally. People express devotion to the Holy Prophet in their own particular style; some will be riding on horses and camels in Arabic dresses, while a float of young girls in fairy dresses reciting Na'at is also a prominent feature.

Resolution passed

The Senate unanimously passed a resolution on Friday to mark the 1500th Eid Milad-un-Nabi (Peace Be Upon Him) with nationwide celebrations emphasizing religious devotion, respect, and unity. Moved by Senator Irfan-ul-Haque Siddiqui, the resolution called on the federal and provincial governments to take special measures at the highest level to commemorate the occasion.

The planned celebrations include Mahafils for Milad-un-Nabi, media campaigns, welfare initiatives, and the decoration and illumination of government, semi-government, and private buildings, as well as highways.

The resolution urged all government and non-government institutions, educational bodies, commercial organisations, and media houses to actively participate in activities promoting peace, harmony, and brotherhood in line with the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Senators expressed a collective resolve to promote the Sunnah and Seerat of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), calling on the nation to observe the occasion with devotion and respect, fostering unity and social harmony across the country.

Marking National Minorities Day, the House also adopted another resolution, tabled by Naveed Aamir, seeking the inclusion of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s historic August 11, 1947 address to the Constituent Assembly into the national curriculum.

In that speech, Jinnah said that citizens were free to practice their faith, and that religion, caste, or creed had nothing to do with the business of the State. The assembly will reconvene tomorrow at 11 a.m.