By Anzal Amin
ISLAMABAD: Christians in Pakistan and around the World have celebrated their annual festival of Christmas with high zeal and fervor, the minority community held special events in Churches and prayers were offered for peace, progress and the prosperity of Pakistan.
President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in their separate messages, while congratulating the Christian community, have assured them that the government will continue to safeguard the rights and privileges of all minorities living in the country.
In a message, President Dr. Arif Alvi has reiterated the state’s commitment to protect the rights of minorities, which are guaranteed and protected in the Constitution.
He said Christmas gives a message of universal love, brotherhood, tolerance, and sacrifices and these values play a crucial role in putting a society on the path of development. He also appreciated the Christian community s positive role and contribution in progress and development of the country.
“Merry Christmas to the Christian community around the world & particularly our Pakistani Christian brothers & sisters. Jesus Christ s teachings of love, brotherhood & peace are beacon of light for us. On this Day, let us all renew our pledge to work for peace & prosperity for all,” the Prime Minister wrote in a tweet.
Chairman Pakistan People’s Party and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has also extended Christmas greetings and best wishes to the Christian community in Pakistan and around the world. His message was initially shared by PPP Media Cell and that was retweeted by Bilawal from his official account, wishing ‘Merry Christmas to all celebrating in Pakistan and around the World’.
In a message, former PM Imran Khan also congratulated the Christian community on Christmas and said that the entire nation shared this happy occasion. Christmas is a time of festivities and cheer and leaders around the world including US President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Pope Francis took to their social media handles to wish people around the globe a ‘Merry Christmas’ yesterday.
“This Christmas season, my hope is that we take a few moments of quiet reflection to really look at one another. Not as Democrats or Republicans. But as who we really are: fellow Americans,” Biden wrote.
