ISLAMABAD, Nov 3: Presi-dent Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have appealed to the nation to celebrate Eidul Fitr with simplicity and deposit Fitrana, Zakat and generous donations in the president’s relief fund.

In his message on the occasion, President Musharraf said: “Today, on the occasion of Eidul Fitr, I congratulate the nation. I am thankful to Allah for granting us patience, fortitude, courage, steadfastness and spirit of worship in Ramzan. With his blessings, we fulfilled the duty of fasting and bowed our heads before Allah.”

He said: “This year our Eid is sorrowful. In the NWFP and Azad Kashmir, as a result of devastation caused by the recent earthquake, many children became orphans; people lost their beloved ones and numerous women became widows. Thousands of people were injured and rendered homeless. The estimate of financial loss exceeds billion of rupees.”

“It is such a colossal human tragedy that the nation shall not be able to recover from the consequent agony for a long time.”

He said: “It is my appeal to you to remember the earthquake victims in your Eid festivities, celebrate Eid with simplicity and deposit Fitrana, Zakat and generous donations in the president’s relief fund.”

PRIME MINISTER: In a separate message, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said: “Today we are celebrating Eid with a pledge that we overcome the troubled times we are facing at this moment due to the devastating earthquake with courage and hard work.”