Eid message: Malik asks Taliban to lay down arms, work for Pakistan

President, Prime Minister emphasise the need to help flood and terrorism victims in the spirit of sacrifice.

ISLAMABAD:
Interior Minister Rehman Malik utilised the occasion of Eid to extend an offer to Taliban to lay down their arms and become responsible citizens of Pakistan working for the betterment of Pakistan.

Speaking to media men after offering his Eid prayers in Karachi, Malik sent a message to the Taliban asking them to work for Pakistan and not on the agenda of foreigners.

Updated from print edition below

Eid message: President, PM call for religious tolerance

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani emphasised the spirit of sacrifice on the occasion of Eidul Azha and urged that religious tolerance be practiced. The president called upon people to adopt values of sacrifice, brotherhood, kindness and charity to create a tolerant society.  We should wage a jihad (struggle) against poverty, deprivation and unemployment,” he added.


President Zardari emphasised that nations pass through “difficult times” and the country now faces the task of rehabilitation of flood-affected people, protection from contagious diseases, and eliminating terrorism. “To overcome these challenges, we need values of sacrifice, brotherhood, fraternity, kindness, tolerance, peace, charity and love more than ever,” he stressed.

He urged the Muslims to do away with regional prejudices and religious intolerance.

Prime Minister Gilani urged people to keep in mind, during their Eid celebrations, the problems of those who had been affected by floods and terrorism. The prime minister said the philosophy of this Eid was to understand the importance of sacrifice and look after the welfare of society.

“On this auspicious occasion, we should not forget the families affected by terrorism and countrymen affected by floods in Sindh and we have to share our happiness with them by helping them out in their hour of need,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th,  2011.
Load Next Story