ISLAMABAD, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan is celebrating the Eid-al-Azha festival across the country on Saturday with zeal and fervor and a renewed commitment to make country prosperous and invincible against threats to its integrity.

    Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani offered Eid in the federal capital of Islamabad, pledging to bring peace to the terror-striken country.

    On the occasion, big Eid congregations were held at hundreds of Eidgahs, principal mosques and open places throughout the country. In their Eid sermons, Ulema and Khateeb highlighted the significance and philosophy of the sacrifice and urged the Muslims to follow the teachings of Islam that call for greater unity of Muslim Ummah.

    Special prayers were offered for the integrity, solidarity and prosperity of the country and unity among the Muslim Ummah. The Ulema urged the Muslims to shun petty differences, stand united and seek Allah's blessings for emancipation from all ills.

    Special security arrangements were made to thwart any untoward incident as security officials were deployed outside the mosques, Eidgahs and open places where faithful offered Eid.

    Eid-al-Azha is celebrated every year to commemorate the supreme sacrifice offered by Hazrat Ibrahim Khalilullah and hisson Hazrat Ismail Zabiullah in fulfillment of the divine order.

    In the eastern city of Lahore, the traditional Eid congregation was held at Badshahi Mosque where Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Punjab Governor Salman Taseer and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leaders offered the Eid prayers. Hundreds of thousands of believers thronged mosques, Eidgahs and Imambarg has to offer Eid prayers at over 500 places in the city.

    Special arrangements were also made for Eid prayers within premises of all jails across the province including Lahore.

    In the port city of Karachi, main Eid congregation was held at Bagh-e-Qauid-e-Azam while the congregation at polo ground was joined by Ministers, Chief Secretary Sindh, diplomats of Muslim countries and city's elite. After Eid prayers, the faithful sacrificed animals in pursuance of Sunnat-e-Ibrahimi.

    In the northwestern city of Peshawar, Provincial Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani and Chief Minister Amir Haider Hoti offered Eid prayer at Governor's House. Special prayers were offered for security, solidarity, integrity, development, peace and prosperity of the country as well as elimination of terrorism.

    The Governor and the Chief Minister paid rich tribute to martyrs of operation against terrorist and reiterated to reach out to affected families for all assistance. Security was put on high alert as policemen stood guard at important places, Eidghas and Mosques.

    In Waziristan tribal area where Pakistan army is conducting operations against Taliban militants, school students celebrated Eid-al-Azha with soldiers of the army and presented them gifts. The soldiers also delivered Eid wishes to the nation and their families.

    Eid-al-Azha was also offered in Balochistan, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and other areas with a commitment and prayers to steer the country out of the present crisis. The followers prayed for a strong Pakistan and end to the menace of terrorism.

    Relatives, friends and colleagues also exchanged Eid greetings through SMS, fully exploiting the revolution in the information technology sector. State television and radio and private TV and radio channels had telecast and broadcast different program in connection with this auspicious occasion. Newspapers published special supplements to highlight the importance of the day.