‘Don’t forget the flood-stricken’
President Zardari asks the nation to celebrate Eid with simplicity and to come forward and assist the flood survivors
ISLAMABAD:
President Asif Ali Zardari has asked the nation to celebrate Eid with simplicity and to come forward and assist the flood survivors who are in dire need of help.
“On Eid this year I wish to call upon the countrymen to spread out and assist in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of our grief- and calamity-stricken brethren whose lives have been devastated by the history’s worst natural disaster,” he said in his Eid message. “We bow our heads in gratitude to Allah on this day for blessing us with the bounties of the holy month of Ramazan. For the Muslims it is a thanksgiving day and I wish to greet all Muslims of the world on this occasion,” he added.
Zardari said a festive occasion, however, has relevance only when festivities and celebrations are genuinely shared with many. “We therefore cannot celebrate the day with traditional fanfare and festivities when millions of our countrymen have been rendered homeless as villages, towns and cities have been destroyed.
“On this Eid let us also spare a thought for those members of our armed forces, the police, the law enforcing agencies and civilians who laid down their lives in the fight against militants so that we could truly celebrate Eid in peace.”
“Pakistanis are a very caring and loving people. I call upon them to step forward and help the victims of floods and also the victims fighting against militants in their hour of trial.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani also felicitated the nation on Eidul Fitr, issuing an identical call not to forget the fellow countrymen battered by the floods.
“This year’s Eid festival is being celebrated on such a moment of history, when a large part of the country is suffering from devastation caused by the floods before Ramazan. Millions of our countrymen are homeless and facing severe difficulties,” Gilani said in his message to the nation.
He added, “Your love and empathy will help address their miseries and pains. Reconstruction of the devastated towns, destroyed houses and the rehabilitation of flood-affected people is our foremost priority and national obligation.”
He said every section of the nation demonstrated commendable cooperation, sincerity and generosity to lessen the immense problems and hardships faced by the flood victims and their miseries and grief. “No doubt, brave nations face challenges with courage and mettle,” he said.
Gilani said that while the entire nation was busy helping out the flood victims, anti-state elements and terrorists were ruining peace in the cities and towns to achieve their nefarious objectives. “But it is the firm commitment of our nation that we will never let these terrorists and extremists succeed in their nefarious intentions and the fight against them will continue till they are completely eliminated,” he said. (WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT BY APP)
Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2010.
President Asif Ali Zardari has asked the nation to celebrate Eid with simplicity and to come forward and assist the flood survivors who are in dire need of help.
“On Eid this year I wish to call upon the countrymen to spread out and assist in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of our grief- and calamity-stricken brethren whose lives have been devastated by the history’s worst natural disaster,” he said in his Eid message. “We bow our heads in gratitude to Allah on this day for blessing us with the bounties of the holy month of Ramazan. For the Muslims it is a thanksgiving day and I wish to greet all Muslims of the world on this occasion,” he added.
Zardari said a festive occasion, however, has relevance only when festivities and celebrations are genuinely shared with many. “We therefore cannot celebrate the day with traditional fanfare and festivities when millions of our countrymen have been rendered homeless as villages, towns and cities have been destroyed.
“On this Eid let us also spare a thought for those members of our armed forces, the police, the law enforcing agencies and civilians who laid down their lives in the fight against militants so that we could truly celebrate Eid in peace.”
“Pakistanis are a very caring and loving people. I call upon them to step forward and help the victims of floods and also the victims fighting against militants in their hour of trial.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani also felicitated the nation on Eidul Fitr, issuing an identical call not to forget the fellow countrymen battered by the floods.
“This year’s Eid festival is being celebrated on such a moment of history, when a large part of the country is suffering from devastation caused by the floods before Ramazan. Millions of our countrymen are homeless and facing severe difficulties,” Gilani said in his message to the nation.
He added, “Your love and empathy will help address their miseries and pains. Reconstruction of the devastated towns, destroyed houses and the rehabilitation of flood-affected people is our foremost priority and national obligation.”
He said every section of the nation demonstrated commendable cooperation, sincerity and generosity to lessen the immense problems and hardships faced by the flood victims and their miseries and grief. “No doubt, brave nations face challenges with courage and mettle,” he said.
Gilani said that while the entire nation was busy helping out the flood victims, anti-state elements and terrorists were ruining peace in the cities and towns to achieve their nefarious objectives. “But it is the firm commitment of our nation that we will never let these terrorists and extremists succeed in their nefarious intentions and the fight against them will continue till they are completely eliminated,” he said. (WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT BY APP)
Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2010.