COVID-19: Pakistan ramps up restrictions for Eid Al Fitr — in pictures

Women walk through a closed market in Rawalpindi. In its efforts to curb the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pakistani government has ramped up restrictions across the country for the upcoming Eid Al Fitr festival, urging the public to stay at home to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.

In a statement on Saturday, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) which oversees the country's response to the pandemic, said that all businesses, hotels, parks, recreational spots and shopping malls will remain closed until May 16, covering the Eid Al Fitr holidays from May 10 to 15 in Pakistan. | Above: A labourer sleeps along a closed market in Lahore.

Besides, there will also be a complete ban on inter-provincial and inter-city public transport during the May 8-16 period. Monitoring teams at federal, provincial, and district levels will make sure the implementation of the restrictions. | Above: Roads are deserted due to lockdown in Karachi.

However, essential services including petrol stations, bakeries and pharmacies will be exempted from the restrictions, said the NCOC. | Above: Shopkeepers sit along a closed market in Rawalpindi.

Policemen ride a motorbike along a closed market in Lahore. Pakistan has seen record deaths and the highest number of critical cases in recent days. The country reported 4,109 new cases over the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 854,240.

A total of 120 people died during the last 24 hours, raising the death toll to 18,797, according to the NCOC. | Above: Policemen stand guard in front of a blocked road in Quetta.

A general view of a closed amusement park in Karachi. Considering the grim situation in the country, the government has announced extended Eid Al Fitr holidays and guidelines to curb the rising COVID-19 cases, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said.

A woman waits for customers while selling dry fruit in front of a closed market in Karachi.

A convoy of police patrol in a market to enforce lockdown to help control the spread of the coronavirus, in Quetta.

A general view of a closed market area is seen in Karachi.

Few motorcyclists ride through a downtown market closed due the government announced new restrictions, in Peshawar.

A deserted look of a market closed due the government announced new restrictions, in Peshawar.

A deserted look of a metro bus track closed due the government announced new restrictions, in Peshawar.