President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday urged the nation to draw guidance from the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and make hard work and service to humanity the purpose of their lives, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.

In separate messages on Eid Miladun Nabi, both leaders extended heartfelt felicitations to the nation and the Muslim Ummah on the birth anniversary of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

In his message, the president said, “It is incumbent upon us to practically promote justice and fairness, tolerance, inter-sectarian and interfaith harmony, and the protection of human dignity in our society.

“This day reminds us of the great blessing of Allah Almighty through which humanity was granted the perfect path of faith, guidance, justice, mercy and noble character,” he added.

Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz said that in order to overcome the economic, social and moral challenges confronting the country, “we must mould our collective lives in accordance with the perfect guidance provided by Islam”, the state broadcaster reported.

The prime minister called for playing a role in making Pakistan a strong, prosperous, peaceful and welfare state.

In a separate post on X, he said that the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) “remain an eternal source of guidance for all humanity — calling us towards compassion, justice, tolerance, unity and service to others”.

“Let us pledge to illuminate our character and collective conduct with the light of Seeratun Nabi and work together for a peaceful, and prosperous Pakistan,” he said.

Muslims around the world celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on the 12th of Rabiul Awwal — the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

In Islamabad, an International Seerat Conference was held at the Jinnah Convention Centre, which was attended by PM Shehbaz as the chief guest.

The conference focused on the protection, development and character building of youth in the light of the seerah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Addressing the conference, the prime minister stressed the need to strengthen unity and brotherhood among the nation and the Muslim Ummah by teaching younger generations the core values and teachings of the seerah.

He urged ulema and religious scholars to use mosques and pulpits to promote unity, tolerance, compassion, forgiveness and interfaith harmony. He said the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was an embodiment of peace, affection, truthfulness, honesty and forgiveness, and these qualities should guide the character building of the countrys youth.

The prime minister urged religious scholars to discourage sectarianism and extremism and promote the eternal message of peace, affection and tolerance contained in the seerah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, addressing the Seerat Conference, called upon ulema to understand the questions and concerns of young people and respond to them with love, wisdom and reason.

He said the teachings of Islam could guide the youth towards moderation instead of extremism, love instead of hatred, hope instead of despair and unity instead of chaos.

The minister noted that young people were facing several challenges, including unemployment, academic pressure, uncertainty about the future, misinformation, irresponsible use of social media, drug abuse, intolerance and weakening family values.

Yousuf stressed the importance of verifying information before sharing it, particularly in the digital age, and called for research, decency and responsibility in public discourse. He termed the youth the country’s most valuable national asset and the architects of its future.