ISLAMABAD, Feb 10: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has called upon the nation to promote unity. In a message on the beginning of new Islamic year, he urged the nation to forge harmony and pledge to make efforts for Pakistan's progress.

"The Islamic calendar starts with Muharram. The Holy Quran has also mentioned the greatness of the month.

"Therefore, the month of historical greatness, demands that we promote unity and brotherhood, and foil any conspiracies against the motherland," he said.

He congratulated the Pakistani nation and the entire Muslim Ummah at the advent of Islamic year 1426 AD and called for avoiding all that Islam has forbidden.

PM'S MESSAGE: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz stressed the people to inculcate the virtues of love, unity, sacrifice and tolerance in their daily lives and work for the progress and development of the country.

"We need to inculcate the healthy feelings of patience, tolerance, brotherhood and respect for the rights of others," he said in a message of felicitation to the nation.

Islam is a religion of peace and tranquillity, and creating peace and harmony among the individuals and in the collective lives of humans is at the very heart of Islam.

He said that in an Islamic society, every individual and section has equal rights, which leads to the creation of a prosperous and content society.

The prime minister said, with the painstaking work during the past five years, Pakistan had reached at an enviable position. "Now it is the duty of every Pakistani to maintain this status and work hard to reach out to newer heights," he added.-APP