Daily Times

KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has extended Eid greetings to Muslims in Pakistan and elsewhere in the world. In a statement issued on Sunday, he urged people to observe the occasion with simplicity in view of the tragic loss of lives ahead of the festival in terrorist attacks in Parachinar, Quetta and Karachi and an oil tanker fire in Bahawalpur.

“I wish to felicitate Muslims throughout the world as well as in Pakistan on the occasion of Eid ul Fitr,” Bilawal Bhutto said.

“The end of the month of fasting should not mark an end either of the pursuit of values of tolerance and humility or of the fight against evil,” he said, adding that Eid should be an occasion when we pledge to abide by these values throughout the rest of the year. “Evil has reared its ugly head in different forms and shapes at different times in history. During our time, it has reared its head in the form of religious bigotry and exploitation of the people in the name of religion,” the PPP chairman said.

“We need to stand together in the fight against religious extremists who force upon people their bigoted interpretations of religious thought. We also need to unite in the fight against those who exploit religion for their vested interests,” he said.

Bilawal Bhutto called upon the people to also remember in their celebrations the destitute and less-fortunate as well as those who had laid down their lives in the country’s fight against militancy. “May the blessings of Ramazan remain with all of you for the whole year,” he said.