ISLAMABAD, Oct 13: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in his message on the occasion of Eidul Fitr criticised the policies of the Musharraf regime in strongest words while PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto in her message did not even make any mention of political issue after reaching an understanding with the Musharraf regime.
In a statement issued from Saudi Arabia and released by the party’s Central Secretariat here on Friday, Mr Sharif said 160 million people of Pakistan would celebrate Eid in real terms when there would be no ‘price-hike, unemployment, poverty, injustice and lawlessness’ in the country.
Mr Sharif regretted that the government resorted to bombing the tribal areas on the sacred night of 27th Ramazan killing a number of innocent people, including women and children. He asked the people of Pakistan not to forget the distressed people of the tribal areas while celebrating the religious festival.
Ms Bhutto, in her message issued from Dubai and released by the party’s media office here, felicitated the people of Pakistan on the occasion of Eid.
“Let us on this occasion also bow our heads in gratitude to Allah for blessing us with the bounties of the holy month of Ramazan,” she said, adding: “But amidst Eid celebrations, this year let us not forget the tens of thousands of our sisters and brothers who perished in the earthquake in the NWFP and Azad Kashmir two years ago, those who fell victim to senseless killings by terrorists and those who lost lives and suffered heavily during the recent rains and floods.”
“A festive occasion has relevance only when blessings are genuinely shared with many. On this day therefore let us redouble our efforts to alleviate the sufferings of those who are destitute and needy,” she said.
APMA: Religious minorities have extended their cordial greetings to their Muslim brethren on the occasion of Eidul Fitr.
All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (Apma) Chairman Shahbaz Bhatti, in his message, said: “I on behalf of all religious minorities of Pakistan wish to extend cordial greetings to all Muslim brethren celebrating Eidul Fitr.”
He said Eid reminded them of noble human feelings to share the festivities with the poor, underprivileged, downtrodden, orphans, the neglected and the cast-off beside embracing people from all walks of life.
He said Eid was also a time to realise the urgency of fraternal bounding and concept of interfaith harmony that demanded a meeting of hearts and minds of different faiths.
The Apma chief said during this joyful season, “I urge people of all faiths to reflect on our shared values, love for family, gratitude to God, a commitment to religious freedom, and respect for all diversity that adds to our nations’ strength”.
PTI: On the auspicious occasion of Eidul Fitr Imran Khan, chief of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI), has extended Eid greetings to the Muslims of the world in general and the people of Pakistan in particular.
He said when the Muslims the world over were united in celebrating Eidul Fitr after the holy month of Ramazan, the people of Pakistan also needed to unite for their democratic rights.
While paying rich tributes to the lawyers’ community, Imran Khan said the common man of this country had never been faced with the hardships in his life as ever before.