ISLAMABAD: People in Pakistan and other countries on Wednesday continued sacrificing animals and taking part in festivities as they marked the third day and final day of Eid Al-Adha.
Muslims celebrate three-day Eid Al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice, by slaughtering animals such as cattle and goats and sharing their meat among family and friends and the poor. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, on God’s command.
In Pakistan, Eid Al-Adha, one of the two most important festivals on the Islamic calendar, began on Monday with special prayers for the well-being of the Muslim world, particularly Palestine and Kashmir.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed Eid greetings to countrymen and several other leaders of the Muslim world as his government announced a three-day holiday on the joyous occasion.
On Wednesday, Sharif held a telephonic conversation with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and conveyed warm greetings to him on the blessed occasion.
“The two leaders extended best wishes and prayers for the continued progress and prosperity of the peoples of both the UAE as well as Pakistan,” Sharif’s office said in a statement.
“The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s deep appreciation to His Highness for the UAE’s consistent support to Pakistan and also reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support to the UAE through thick and thin.”
The prime minister reiterated a cordial invitation to the UAE president to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience, according to Sharif’s office. In response, Sheikh Mohamed graciously conveyed his acceptance of the invitation and agreed to undertake the visit at an early date.
Pakistanis continued to visit each other on Wednesday to exchange Eid greetings and share elaborate meals to celebrate the joyous occasion.
The distribution of meat also continues among the needy, while picnic and recreational spots witnessed an unusual rush.
Over six million animals valued at approximately Rs531 billion ($1.9 billion) were sacrificed during the three-day Eid festival in 2023, according to tanners’ association. As many, if not more, animals are expected to be sacrificed this year.
Festivities continue as Pakistanis mark Eid Al-Adha for third and final day
https://arab.news/wud2p
Festivities continue as Pakistanis mark Eid Al-Adha for third and final day
- People continue to visit relatives to convey Eid greetings and share elaborate meals
- Recreational spots and beaches witness rush as Pakistanis celebrate final day of Eid
Pakistan highlights Gwadar transshipment role as shipping routes face disruption over regional tensions
- Pakistani ports possess “untapped potential” to attract global shipping lines for transshipment operations, says minister
- Pakistan eyes leveraging Gwadar as regional transshipment hub as Iran’s closure of Strait of Hormuz disrupts global maritime trade
KARACHI: Pakistan’s Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Thursday highlighted the importance of the port city of Gwadar’s transshipment role as major shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, face disruption due to Iran’s ongoing conflict with the US and Israel in the Gulf.
The meeting takes place as Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that lies between it and Oman. It is one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes, with roughly 20 percent of global oil supplies passing through it. Iran has vowed it will attack any ship that enters the strait, causing energy prices to rise sharply on Monday amid disruptions to tanker traffic in the waterway.
Gwadar is a deep-sea port in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province that lies close to the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistani officials have in the past highlighted Gwadar’s geostrategic position as the shortest trade route to the Gulf and Central Asia, stressing that it has the potential to become a regional transshipment hub.
Chaudhry chaired a high-level meeting of government officials to assess emerging logistical challenges facing Pakistan’s trade, particularly in the energy sector, amid tensions in the Gulf.
“Special focus was placed on fully leveraging the potential of Gwadar Port as a regional transshipment hub and positioning it as an alternative of regional instability,” Pakistan’s maritime affairs ministry said in a statement.
The minister said Pakistani ports possessed “significant untapped potential” to attract international shipping lines for transshipment operations, noting that it could also ensure long-term sustainability and growth of the country’s maritime sector.
Participants of the meeting discussed measures to strengthen Pakistan’s position as a viable alternative transit and transshipment destination, as key waterways are affected by the disruption.
The committee also reviewed proposals to amend relevant rules and regulations to facilitate international transshipment operations through on-dock and off-dock terminals.
The chairmen of the Port Qasim Authority, Karachi Port Trust and Gwadar Port Authority attended the meeting, briefing committee members on the current operational readiness of their ports. They spoke about the available capacity for container transshipment, bulk cargo handling and refueling services at Pakistani ports.
The port in Gwadar is a central part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), under which Beijing has funneled tens of billions of dollars into massive transport, energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan.
Pakistan has long eyed the deep-sea port as a key asset that can help boost its trade with Central Asian states, the Gulf region and ensure the country earns valuable foreign exchange.
