October 14, 2007	Sunday	Shawwal 1, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Oct 13: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has called for unity and support for the government’s reconciliatory efforts in the ‘larger national interest’.

“I hope the Pakistani nation will support the reconciliatory efforts being made by the government in the larger national interest and will stand united on issues of national importance,” he saidin an Eid message on Saturday.

Mr Aziz urged the nation to turn Pakistan into a modern welfare Islamic state, as envisioned by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

“I fully believe that by remaining united and organised, we will be able to achieve our goals,” the prime minister said.

He said the nation should be prepared to counter the rapidly changing global scenario.

He claimed that tremendous changes had been witnessed in areas of economy and knowledge and nations were striving hard to gain their just positions.

Mr Aziz said the occasion of Eid brings one many pleasures, but real happiness comes only when one shares them with the needy and the unfortunate.

“Such acts help remove economic disparity and social imbalance, and create an atmosphere of sacrifice, love and tolerance,” the prime minister said.

Mr Aziz said Eid was a day of accountability for Muslims and they should ask themselves whether they followed the true spirit of fasting and refrained from forbidden acts.—APP