President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have felicitated the nation on the auspicious occasion of Ramazan, urging citizens to embrace piety, patience and unity during the holy month.

In a message to the nation at the commencement of Ramazan, President Zardari said the sacred month is a time of mercy, forgiveness and deliverance from Hellfire. He extended his heartfelt felicitations to the entire nation on the arrival of the blessed month.

The president said Ramazan imparts lessons of piety, patience, sacrifice and closeness to Allah. He said that the holy month offers the best opportunity for reform in both individual and collective lives, and conveys a message of hope, endurance and social cohesion.

Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz, in his message on the beginning of Ramazan 1447 Hijri, congratulated Muslims across the world on the advent of the sacred month.

He said the great and holy month is a special blessing of Almighty Allah, providing an opportunity for worship, piety and spiritual purification. The prime minister said Ramazan embodies the true spirit of devotion, social responsibility and respect for the rights of others.

He said that fasting serves as practical training in patience, discipline and a sense of responsibility in daily life. The holy month, he added, carries a message of collective goodwill and the welfare of the underprivileged.

The prime minister said the government has initiated a Ramazan package to extend all possible assistance to vulnerable segments of society. He prayed that Almighty Allah grant the nation the ability to act upon the true spirit of the sacred month and accept individual and collective acts of worship and good deeds.

He prayed that Pakistan be blessed with peace, stability, progress and prosperity. Ameen.

Maryam Nawaz greets nation on advent of Ramazan

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has extended her felicitations on the arrival of the holy month of Ramazan.

In her message marking the commencement of Ramazan, she conveyed good wishes to the Muslim Ummah and urged the people of the country to offer special prayers for the safety and prosperity of the nation during Sehri, Iftar and Taraweeh.

She said the Holy Quran teaches that whoever performs even an atom’s weight of good shall receive its reward, adding that the month of fasting offers a rare opportunity to attain the pleasure, goodwill and blessings of Almighty Allah.

CM Maryam has expressed the hope that Ramazan would bring goodness, blessings, peace and stability to the Islamic world and a message of peace, progress and prosperity for Pakistan.

She urged citizens to keep their tables open for the needy at Sehri and Iftar, adding that Ramazan reminds believers of compassion, gratitude and generosity. She said the month is not confined to worship alone but is also a time to care for and support those in need.

The chief minister called upon people of means to look after the requirements of the underprivileged in their surroundings.

She said that under the Nigehban Ramazan cards, Rs10,000 each is being distributed to four million families. Across the province, more than 300 dastarkhwans have been arranged for Sehri and Iftar in 147 districts.

CM Maryam said queues for ration have been eliminated and assistance will reach the doorsteps of deserving persons. "Facilitation bazaars across Punjab have been converted into Ramazan bazaars," she added.