ISLAMABAD, Nov 3: Former premier and exiled PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif has asked the nation to share the sorrows of the people affected in the Oct 8 quake. In a message issued from Jeddah on Thursday, he said Eidul Fitr was essentially an occasion to thank Allah, but this year, Pakistanis were celebrating Eid with their hearts aching over the deaths of thousands of men, women and children due to the devastating earthquake.

Expressing his condolences to the bereaved families and his deep sympathy for the people rendered homeless, the PML-N chief said he had spent last 10 days of Ramazan in Madina praying for the early recovery of the injured and rehabilitation homeless.

He said that despite his desire to personally serve the quake victims, he could not come to Pakistan due to reasons known to everybody. “However, I assure the people that I, along with my colleagues in the party will continue providing all possible help to the affected people until all of them return to their new homes,” he added.

Unfortunately, Mr Sharif said, Pakistan’s affairs were in such hands that ignored the interests of the nation and the Ummah. Their policies continued to invite Allah’s wrath, and the people suffered from economic hardships and lawlessness due to their mismanagement and deviation from religion.

The situation, he said, called upon all parties to take practical steps for putting Pakistan back on the path of peace.