ISLAMABAD, Dec 20: President Pervez Musharraf and caretaker Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro have urged the nation to stand united, rise above differences, keeping in view the spirit of sacrifice.

In separate messages on Eidul Azha, they recalled the supreme sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and urged the people to shun sectarian, ethnic and regional differences and work together for building a strong and prosperous Pakistan.

“Today we need the spirit of sacrifice much more than before. We have to prioritise national interests over our individual interests for national strength, unity and prosperity,” President Musharraf said.

He stressed the need for rising above sectarian and regional feelings and working for national unity and development.

“We have to eradicate all kinds of hatred and create an atmosphere of mutual fraternity and brotherhood to crush evil designs of the enemies of country and religion,” he said. He said after his re-election as a civilian president “I join you in the development and progress of the country as a public representative and a democratic president.”

The caretaker prime minister in his message urged the nation to rise above personal, regional and ethnic differences and to work for the development and progress of the country.

He said Pakistan today was facing several challenges and it was vital to address these by inculcating the spirit of sacrifice, brotherhood, tolerance, peace and love.

President Musharraf and Mr Soomro also urged the people to vote for capable and honest people in the Jan 8 election.—APP