Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Gen Asif Munir arrived in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Parachinar of the Kurram district on Wednesday to celebrate Eid with troops, stationed near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

“Today, along with the chief of army staff, I am spending the Eid day with you to pay tribute to the efforts and passions of our officers and men who protect the borders of the motherland with courage and bravery,” PM Shehbaz was quoted as saying in a statement shared by the PML-N on Twitter.

The official Twitter account of the party also shared pictures and videos of the meeting. Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, and Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb also accompanied them.

They offered the Eid prayers with the troops.

Pakistan celebrated Eidul Azha with traditional zeal and fervour on Thursday. The day started with special prayers held at mosques, Eidgahs, and grounds across the country for the progress and security of the country, Radio Pakistan reported.

The premier appreciated the high professional standards of the army.

He went on to add that officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Armed Forces perform the duty of security of the motherland, “leaving aside their personal comfort and peace”. PM Shehbaz added that the nation “salutes the armed forces” for serving the nation despite enduring the hardships of the weather and facing all kinds of difficulties and sufferings.

“Whether it is a happy festival including Eid or a sad event, the officers and jawans individually and collectively give priority to the duty of protecting the motherland. We salute your passion,” he said.

The premier paid tribute to the service of the officers and men of the army, air force and navy. He extended Eid felicitations to the entire nation.

The PM reiterated his resolve that there was “no hiding place for peace-breakers, terrorists, their patrons and facilitators”. He lauded the nation for foiling the nefarious plan of the forces that created “sedition, disorder and chaos” in the country.

“Those forces who wanted to create division and rift in the nation for their nefarious agenda were defeated. Martyrs are the pride of Pakistan and the nation. Their respect and dignity are above all else,” he added. He placed flowers at the martyrs’ memorial and offered prayers.

Meanwhile, former president Asif Ali Zardari offered Eid prayers in his hometown of Benazirabad (Nawabshah). PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto offered Eid prayers in Larkana.

PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif is in the UAE with several of his family members. He celebrated Eid on Tuesday according to the local Islamic calendar.

Zardari was also in UAE where he held long discussions with Sharif. However, he returned to the country late Tuesday.

Several government ministers, including Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, offered Eid prayers at Faisal Mosque in Islamabad.