President, premier urge peace, harmony on Eid

ISLAMABAD: As Eidul Fitr’s moon was sighted across the country on Sunday, the president and prime minister in their separate messages of felicitations called for promoting peace, tolerance and harmony — categorically condemning acts of violence and terrorism.

President Asif Ali Zardari called for rejecting “extremist trends and negative propaganda of misguided elements in the country” by promoting Islamic teachings of tolerance and affinity.

The president, in his message to the nation on Eidul Fitr, said that a society developed on such lines would be helpful in resolving issues of extremism and violence. President Zardari mentioned the recent incident of firing by miscreants on the passenger buses in Lulusar, Gilgit-Baltistan and said that such acts of sectarianism and violence were completely against the teachings of Islam.

He added that the terrorist attack on the Kamra airbase, clearly violated the spirit of Islam.

“This is only possible by shaping our lives in accordance with the golden principles of Islam and by shunning hatred, animosity, greed and malice. Moreover, we need to promote within our ranks love and affinity, tolerance, generosity and endurance.”

‘Hub of peace’

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf urged the nation to work towards making Pakistan a “hub of peace” by refraining from extremism and sectarianism.

The premier, in his Eid message, said: “Eidul Fitr is a day of peace, tranquillity and harmony.”

Prime Minister Ashraf extended heartiest felicitations to the nation, the Muslim world and overseas Pakistanis on the occasion. “On this day Muslims reiterate their pledge to strengthen their relationship of brotherhood, love and tolerance by setting aside their internal differences.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2012.