02 February 2004	Monday	10 Zilhaj 1424

ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: Former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif have greeted the nation and the Muslims throughout the world on Eidul Azha.

In their separate messages, the exiled prime ministers regretted that Eid was being celebrated amid growing poverty, unemployment,lawlessness and price hike.

They urged the nation to fight against what they called "tyrannical forces and dictatorship" and for the restoration of the Constitution and supremacy of parliament.

In the message released by the Pakistan People's Party media cell here on Sunday, Benazir Bhutto said: "Today we commemorate the supreme sacrifice offered by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and in doing so we also affirm by our action that all of us who are the followers of Islam are indeed united in an imperishable bond of brotherhood."

"It is the most unfortunate that Eidul Azha this year in Pakistan is being celebrated amidst growing poverty, unemployment and lawlessness, which has taken away the true joy and happiness from our people. Let us also pray on this day for an end to the deprivations of the people," Ms Bhutto said.

In a joint message, PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and president Shahbaz Sharif said tyrannical powers had once again targeted the Muslims. Under these circumstances, the people of Pakistan should realize their responsibility, they said.

They said the only way to pull Pakistan out of its present difficulties lay in stepping up struggle for the restoration of Constitution, rule of law and the supremacy of parliament.