ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani have urged people to show a shared sense of commitment and help the government in creating an egalitarian society.

Greeting the nation on Eidul Fitr, President Asif Ali Zardari called upon people on Sunday to step forward and help the victims of fight against militants.

‘I wish to extend on my behalf, on behalf of the Pakistan People’s Party and on behalf of the people of Pakistan greetings to Muslims throughout the world, particularly to our Pakistani brothers and sisters on the occasion of Eidul Fitr,’ he said in his message.

‘Let on this occasion also bow our heads in gratitude to Allah for blessing us with the bounties of the holy month of Ramazan.’

‘Amidst Eid celebrations this year, let us not forget those members of our armed forces, police, law-enforcement agencies and civilians who laid down their lives in the fight against militants so that we may truly celebrate this Eid in peace.’

The president said nearly two million displaced people of Swat and Malakand should not be forgotten as they had sacrificed their hearts and homes and endured the hardships of displacement to enable law-enforcement personnel to root out militants.

‘And let us also salute the host families who hosted the displaced families during their temporary dislocation.’

‘May Allah in His infinite mercy grant our supplications and guide us to imbibe the spirit of Ramazan throughout the year and to employ that spirit in rebuilding the lives of the people devastated by extremists and militants,’ he said.

A festive occasion has relevance only when blessings are genuinely shared with many, he said, adding ‘on this day, therefore, let us redouble our efforts to alleviate the sufferings of those who are destitute and needy.’

Prime Minister Gilani renewed his pledge to create a society based on justice and equality and avert corruption, plunder, nepotism, bribery, sectarianism and terrorism.

In his message, he said: ‘I congratulate and greet from the core of my heart all Pakistanis in particular and the Muslims around the world in general on the auspicious and joyful occasion of Eidul Fitr.’

‘We should be thankful to Allah that He has once again provided us an opportunity to benefit from his blessings in the month of Ramazan and to celebrate joyful occasion of Eidul Fitr.’

Whereas the sacred month of Ramazan provided us an opportunity to purify our hearts, souls and bodies, it also enhanced the spirit of obedience and worship among the Muslims due to the blessings of this month, he said.

He said: ‘We should keep our eyes also on the lessons of discipline and unity learnt from the month of Ramazan and also pay our sense of gratitude to Allah which is a religious obligation on us.’

The prime minister reminded people of their duty to help the needy, the poor and the destitute in all possible manners so that they could also celebrate Eid.

‘We should never overlook the spirit of sharing of sorrows of others which provides basis for social system of Islam.’

He said: ‘As far as prevailing situation of the country is concerned we stand for humility and human dignity. We believe in strong democratic basis of the country.’

‘We want our democratic institutions to play their role in real sense in order to establish and strengthen a society based on justice and equality and avert corruption, plunder, nepotism, bribery, sectarianism and terrorism.’

He said: ‘We want equal opportunities of earning of livelihood for all citizens. I am sure that we can overcome all our problems by evoking the sense of love for each other and honestly performing our duties.’

He prayed to Allah to shower his blessings on the country, keep it under His protection from internal and external enemies, make it stronger and prosperous and bring new happiness and prosperity to its people every new day. — APP