ISLAMABAD, Nov 3: Former prime minister and PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto has offered her sympathies to the quake victims on Eidul Fitr. In her message, she said: “I wish to extend, on my behalf and on behalf of the PPP, greetings to Muslims throughout the world particularly to our Pakistani brothers and sisters on Eidul Fitr.”

Ms Bhutto said there was also an element of sadness in Eid celebrations this year, as thousands of people had fallen prey to the earthquake in the Frontier province and Azad Kashmir. “Pakistanis have demonstrated that they are a very caring and loving people who, I am sure, would standby their brothers and sisters in this hour of distress caused by the quake,” she said.

She prayed for the victims and said: “On this day, therefore, let us redouble our efforts to alleviate the sufferings not only of the victims of the most terrible natural disaster in the history of Pakistan, but also of those who are destitute and needy.”