ISLAMABAD, Feb 11: President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali have urged the nation to imbibe spirit of sacrifice in view of difficulties facing Pakistan, and renew pledge of allegiance to Allah Almighty and shun hypocrisy to promote mutual affinity and unity

In their separate messages on the occasion of Eidul Azha, they asked the nation to shun discords and forge an ambience of peace, love, harmony and brotherhood.

In his message the president said: “In view of difficulties and problems facing the country, we need the spirit of sacrifice a lot more than before.”

Gen Musharraf said offering sacrifice did not merely consist in slaughtering an animal, but it also embodies sacrificing our wishes with patience and piety in line with divine injunctions.

“Reverence and regard for sacrifice awakens the potential in human beings that rescues them from faltering from the right path even when faced with most trying of adversities,” he said.

The president called for making all efforts for following the spirit of Islamic teachings in all walks of life, individually and collectively.

He said while celebrating the fortuitous festival, we should not ignore our needy and poor brethren.

JAMALI: In his message, Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has asked the nation to renew pledge of allegiance to Allah Almighty and shun hypocrisy to promote mutual affinity and unity.