LAHORE: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif offered Eid-ul-Fitr prayers in Lahore on Saturday. Former Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz Sharif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Salman Shehbaz also offered prayers along with PML-N activists. On the occasion, special prayers were offered for the security, progress, prosperity of Pakistan, unity of the Muslim Ummah and peace in the region. Following the prayers, the Prime Minister exchanged Eid greetings with party workers and citizens shared the joy of the festival in a spirit of togetherness. Moreover, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have exchanged greetings on the phone. The Prime Minister briefed the President on recent contacts with regional heads of state. They discussed overall regional situation and its impact on Pakistan. The President emphasized the need for protection of national interests and coordinated strategy in the context of changing situation in the region. He said Pakistan’s interests should be defended at all levels through national consensus and effective diplomatic relations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also held telephone conversations with Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore and Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Former Justice Yaar Muhammad and extended Eid-ul-Fitr greetings. The premier conveyed his best wishes to these leaders. The PM said, “On this joyful and blessed occasion of Eid, we reaffirm our commitment to working together for the betterment of Pakistan.” On the other hand, Adviser to Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Senator Rana Sanaullah Khan said national unity and political stability are imperative to effectively deal with prevailing internal and external challenges of the country. Rana told media after offering Eid-ul-Fitr that prevailing global situation is highly sensitive and has the potential to trigger crises worldwide; therefore, national cohesion is the need of the hour. Rana Sanaullah Khan said that all sects in Pakistan enjoy equal rights and stressed that no external incident should be used as a pretext for arson, violence or destruction of property within the country. On political situation, Rana said that the incumbent government believed in continuity of the democratic process and the Prime Minister’s message of “Istihkam-e-Pakistan” has received a positive response from the public. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026