Eid Miladun Nabi (Peace Be Upon Him) is being observed across Pakistan on Wednesday with religious fervour and solemnity, with prayers, processions and special events marking the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The day began with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and a 21-gun salute in provincial capitals. The occasion is being observed as a public holiday.

Special prayers were offered after Fajr for the unity of the Muslim Ummah and the progress and prosperity of the country.

The main event will be the International Seerat-un-Nabi Conference in the federal capital, focusing on the protection, development and character-building of the younger generation in the light of the Prophet’s ﷺ life and teachings.

Milad processions are being held in cities across the country, with religious scholars and preachers highlighting different aspects of the Prophet’s ﷺ life and urging people to follow his teachings and Sunnah.

Streets, roads, buildings, mosques and homes have been decorated with green buntings, flags and colourful lights to mark the occasion.

President, PM stress values of compassion, justice

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday urged the nation to follow the teachings and example of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), stressing the values of compassion, justice, tolerance, unity and service to humanity on the occasion of Eid Miladun Nabi.

In his message on 12 Rabiul Awwal, President Zardari congratulated the people of Pakistan and the Muslim world on the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), saying the occasion reminded Muslims of the divine blessing through which humanity was given a complete path of faith, guidance, justice, mercy and good character.

Zardari said the birth of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) had marked the beginning of an enlightened era in human history, in which the darkness of ignorance gave way to knowledge and guidance, while injustice was challenged and the principles of equality, brotherhood and justice were promoted.

“The Holy Prophet (PBUH) demonstrated through his exemplary life that the establishment of a righteous society was achieved by adopting higher moral values, justice, compassion and a sense of responsibility, while observing piety and following the commands of Allah Almighty,” he said.

The president said the Seeratun Nabi taught people to promote mutual respect and goodwill, while protecting the rights of vulnerable and deprived members of society, including orphans, the poor and those in need.

He said Muslims should demonstrate their love for the Holy Prophet (PBUH) by incorporating his life and Sunnah into their individual and collective conduct.

“As members of the Ummah of Muhammad (PBUH), it is incumbent upon us to practically demonstrate justice and fairness, tolerance, inter-sectarian and interfaith harmony, and the protection of human dignity in our society,” Zardari said.

He also called on young people to draw guidance from the Seeratun Nabi and make knowledge, good character, hard work and service to humanity their goals in life.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also extended his felicitations to the people of Pakistan and the Muslim Ummah on Eid Milad-un-Nabi.

“The life and teachings of our beloved Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) remain an eternal source of guidance for all humanity — calling us towards compassion, justice, tolerance, unity and service to others,” PM Shehbaz said.

He urged people to pledge to shape their individual character and collective conduct in accordance with the Seerat-un-Nabi and work towards a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan.

“Let us pledge to illuminate our character and collective conduct with the light of Seerat-un-Nabi and work together for a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan,” the prime minister said.

Shehbaz also prayed for peace, stability and prosperity in Pakistan and for the country to become a source of goodness and safety for all humanity.

Karachi procession routes announced

Karachi’s central arteries will face major traffic restrictions on Wednesday (Today) as three major Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) processions move through the city, with MA Jinnah Road closed to general traffic and heavy and commercial vehicles barred from operating across Karachi.

Traffic police have finalised a special traffic plan for the three main processions, allowing only vehicles carrying designated passes to enter MA Jinnah Road during the processions. Motorists have been advised to use alternative routes to avoid prolonged delays. The first procession will leave Shaheed Mosque in Kharadar at around 2:30pm under the leadership of Maulana Yaqoob Attari. It will pass through New Memon Mosque before concluding at Gulzar-e-Habib Mosque around Asr prayer time, according to a traffic police spokesperson.

Two other major processions will originate from New Memon Mosque at Bolton Market.

One, led by Maulana Akbar Dars, will set off at around 2:30pm and conclude at Aram Bagh Mosque around Asr.

The third procession, led by Maulana Shah Abdul Haq Qadri, will depart New Memon Mosque at 3pm and proceed towards Nishtar Park, where it is scheduled to conclude at around 6pm.

A Milad-un-Nabi conference will be held at Nishtar Park after the procession concludes.

A ban on the movement of heavy and commercial vehicles across the city will also remain in force on 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal as part of the security and traffic arrangements.

Authorities also tightened security along procession routes and around major gatherings, deploying more than 4,000 police personnel to keep the celebrations peaceful.

The police have finalised security arrangements for the day, with 4,208 officers and personnel deployed across the city for processions and religious gatherings, according to a police spokesperson.

Rawalpindi routes announced

In Rawalpindi, the Milad procession will begin from Banni Chowk and pass through Kohati Bazaar, Murree Road, Committee Chowk, Iqbal Road, Fawara Chowk and Jamia Masjid Road before concluding at its designated destination.

The central Cantt Milad procession will start from Chungi 22 Chowk and pass through Tanch Bhatta Road, Abid Majid Road, Mall Road and GPO Chowk before ending at Kamran Market Chowk.

Federal Parliamentary Secretary Malik Abrar will inaugurate the central Milad procession organised by the Central Jamia Mosque in the Cantonment.

According to the Home Department, 1,436 Milad-un-Nabi gatherings and 2,479 Milad processions will be held across Punjab, including Rawalpindi district. Some 55,000 officers and personnel have been deployed to provide security.

Around 3,000 smaller processions from across the city will join the two central processions along their respective routes.

The use of drums, tin instruments and megaphones, as well as the carrying of weapons, sticks, bullock carts and heavy trailers, will be prohibited during both processions. Only hand drums will be permitted.

The display of pictures of political leaders and party flags, along with political slogans, will also be prohibited. Participants will be allowed to recite Naat and Darood Sharif only.

Peshawar road closure and processions

The main 12 Rabiul Awwal procession in Peshawar will be organised under the banner of Idara Tableeghul Islam.

The procession will begin from Milad Chowk after Isha prayers and follow its traditional route before concluding at Qissa Khwani Bazaar, where the main Mehfil-e-Milad will be held.

A number of smaller processions will also be taken out from Sikandar Pura, Qissa Khwani, Saddar, Kohati, Gulbahar and other parts of the city.

To manage traffic during the celebrations, the city traffic police have deployed four SPs, 12 DSPs and 600 traffic personnel and wardens across Peshawar.