President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have extended their heartfelt felicitations to the Pakistani nation and the entire Islamic world on the commencement of the new Hijri year 1448 AH.

In their separate messages, they urged the nation to promote tolerance, uphold the rule of law, strengthen national unity, and play a positive role in Pakistan’s progress and prosperity.

In his message, President Asif Ali Zardari said that on the commencement of the new Hijri year, everyone should pledge to promote tolerance, love, brotherhood, and mutual respect in their individual and collective lives, and to avoid sectarianism.

He said the sacred month of Muharram-ul-Haram also reminds us of the supreme sacrifices of the grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), and the universal lessons of the battle of Karbala.

In his message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said it is a matter of great pleasure that the auspicious beginning of the Islamic year is marked by the news of a peaceful resolution to the major conflict between Iran and the United States.

He said the entire nation deserves congratulations as Pakistan's sincere efforts for peace-building have borne fruit.

He urged nation to promote honesty, hard work, mutual respect, tolerance, and national unity in our individual and collective lives.