PM Sharif urges nation to remember Palestinians as Pakistan marks Eid Al-Adha

Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha prayer, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on June 7, 2025. (AP)
Short Url
Updated 07 June 2025
Follow

PM Sharif urges nation to remember Palestinians as Pakistan marks Eid Al-Adha

  • Palestinians enduring “ruthless and inhumane” oppression and hunger, says Shehbaz Sharif in his Eid Al-Adha message to nation
  • President Asif Ali Zardari calls for supporting underprivileged segment as Pakistan military vows to defend country’s sovereignty

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday urged the nation to remember the people of Palestine suffering “ruthless” occupation at the hands of Israel, state-run media reported, as millions of Pakistanis celebrated Eid Al-Adha.

Eid Al-Adha is one of the two most important festivals of the Islamic calendar. Muslims mark the Eid Al-Adha holiday by slaughtering animals such as sheep and goats, and the meat is shared among family and friends and donated to the poor.

The day began with Sharif and senior officials across the country offering Eid Al-Adha prayers in mosques and praying for Pakistan’s progress and prosperity.

“He [Sharif] said today, we must especially remember our Palestinian brothers and sisters who are enduring ruthless and inhumane oppression and hunger,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.




Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (right) offers Eid Al-Adha prayers at his residence in Lahore on June 7, 2025. (Photo courtesy: PMO)

The Pakistani premier’s message comes as the Israeli military presses on with its intensified military campaign in Gaza, issuing an evacuation order for residents of parts of the city on Friday as the Middle East celebrated Eid Al-Adha.

The Pakistani prime minister also urged the masses to remember the people in Indian-administered Kashmir, saying that they were involved in a “just and courageous” struggle for their right to self-determination for decades.

In his message to the nation, President Asif Ali Zardari said there was a pressing need to support the underprivileged and marginalized segments of our society.




Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari (4R) offers Eid Al-Adha prayers at the President House in Islamabad on June 7, 2025. (Photo courtesy: PMO)

“Asif Ali Zardari said as a nation, we must support each other, share in each other’s sorrows, and work together to build a prosperous and great Pakistan,” Radio Pakistan reported.

Pakistan Army’s military leadership paid tribute to the “unwavering resilience” of the Pakistani nation, recognizing the sacrifices of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and citizens who continue to uphold the security of the country.

“The Pakistan Armed Forces stand resolutely with the people, united in purpose and steadfast in their sacred duty to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country,” the Inter-Services Public Relations, the military’s media wing, said.




This combination of photos shows Pakistani offering Eid Al-Adha prayers in Karachi and Lahore. (AP/AFP)

 


UAE President arrives in Pakistan on first official visit, receives 21-gun salute

Updated 14 sec ago
Follow

UAE President arrives in Pakistan on first official visit, receives 21-gun salute

  • Shehbaz Sharif receives the UAE president at Nur Khan Airbase as Islamabad was decorated with Emirati flags
  • Talks are set to focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, energy and regional affairs

ISLAMABAD: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, arrived in Pakistan on Friday on his first official visit since assuming office, receiving a 21-gun salute as Islamabad and Abu Dhabi seek to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, energy and regional affairs.

The UAE president landed at Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, where he was welcomed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and members of the federal cabinet, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

The national anthems of Pakistan and the UAE were played, and a guard of honor was presented by contingents of the Pakistani armed forces. State-run broadcasters and private television channels aired video footage of the UAE president’s arrival and ceremonial reception.

“During his visit, the President of the United Arab Emirates will meet the Prime Minister of Pakistan, during which bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues will be discussed,” an official statement circulated after Al Nahyan’s arrival said.

Earlier, the foreign office said the visit would provide an important opportunity to further strengthen the longstanding relations between the two countries.

It added the discussions between the two sides would explore ways to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, energy and development.

Islamabad was decorated with Pakistani and Emirati flags and large billboards carrying images of the visiting UAE president alongside President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Sharif ahead of the visit.

The Islamabad administration declared a public holiday in the capital, while traffic police announced an extensive plan to manage vehicular movement during the visit.

Pakistan considers the UAE one of its closest regional and economic partners. The Gulf state is Islamabad’s third-largest trading partner after China and the United States and remains a major source of foreign investment.

Over the past two decades, Emirati investment in Pakistan has exceeded $10 billion, according to the UAE’s foreign ministry.

Pakistani policymakers also view the UAE as an important export destination due to its geographical proximity, which reduces transportation and freight costs.