ISLAMABAD, Jan 20: Former prime ministers, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, have urged the people to fight tyranny, poverty, unemployment and prejudices.

They called upon the Muslim Ummah to follow the tradition of Hazrat Ibrahim's supreme sacrifice and forge unity in their ranks.

In her message from Dubai and released by PPP media cell here Thursday Ms Bhutto said: "Eidul Azha has a two-fold theme for the Muslims throughout the world. First, sacrifice ones most prized possession to Allah's will and second the unity of the Ummah".

The Pakistan People's Party chairperson in her message from Dubai, issued here Thursday said: "Today we commemorate the supreme sacrifice offered by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS). In doing so we affirm unity of action in an imperishable bond of brotherhood.

"I greet the Muslims throughout the world in general and of Pakistan in particular on this auspicious occasion. "This celebration is also an occasion to reflect on the message that came through Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

The message of Islam is a message of consensus and of the rights of the weak and the dispossessed. Let us determine that we have an obligation to our community through which we attain a higher purpose in life.

"Let us therefore resolve to end tyranny where we see it and to end poverty and exploitation." She said, "it saddens me that so many of our people are living in despair and misery brought by unemployment, low wages or lack of justice... Let us, therefore, also pray on this day that the deprivations of the people will soon be over and they regain their civil and economic rights".

Our Staff Reporter adds: Chief of the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif and party president Shahbaz Sharif in their joint message, issued from Jeddah and released by the party's office here asked the democratic forces to step up their efforts for the restoration of constitution and democracy in the country.

The Sharif brothers said "the only way to pull Pakistan out of its present difficulties is to step up struggle by democratic forces for the restoration of the Constitution, rule of law and supremacy of the parliament so that the nation could be rid of anti-democracy rulers.

The Pakistan Muslim League-N leaders called upon the Muslim countries to leave aside their minor differences and bring their resources together for promotion of peace, amity and human brotherhood.

They urged the nation to pray for the solidarity of Pakistan and other Muslim nations in the Eid congregations, and also share their individual blessings with deprived countrymen.

"The Muslims all over the world and the people of Pakistan should not only offer animal sacrifice but must also confront the despot of our times to uphold truth and justice," they added.

They said the tyrannical powers had once again targeted the Muslims with oppression and aggression. In these circumstances, they urged the people to realize their responsibility, make concerted efforts to rescue the country out of its present crises, launch a movement against the unconstitutional rulers, who have caused grave threats to the independence, sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan, they said.