Pakistani leaders extend Easter wishes to Christian community 

Christian devotees hold candles during an Easter vigil procession at Central Brooks Memorial Church, in Karachi on April 4, 2021. (AFP)
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Updated 04 April 2021
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Pakistani leaders extend Easter wishes to Christian community 

  • Churches are allowed to hold Easter services in accordance with coronavirus safety protocols
  • Pakistan’s Christian community makes up about 1.6 percent of the country’s population

RAWALPINDI: Prime Minister Imran Khan and other Pakistani leaders have wished the country’s Christian community a happy Easter as members of the minority group gathered in churches on Sunday.

Pakistan’s Christian community makes up about 1.6 percent of the country’s population of 220 million. 

Unlike last year, when due to a coronavirus lockdown worshippers were confined to their homes, this time churches were allowed to hold Easter services, in accordance with the government’s safety protocols.

“Wishing all our Christian citizens a happy Easter,” PM Khan said in a tweet.

Greetings also came from National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser.

Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood also took to Twitter.

“To all my Christian friends. Happy Easter,” he wrote. “May this day bring great joy to you and your families.”

Easter is the most important festival of the year for most Christians, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament.


Thai Air station manager found dead at Karachi airport, inquiry underway

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Thai Air station manager found dead at Karachi airport, inquiry underway

  • Airport authorities say preliminary assessments point to a cardiac incident
  • CCTV footage is being secured and police and medical teams informed

ISLAMABAD: A station manager for Thai Air was found dead at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Pakistan’s Airports Authority confirmed on Sunday, adding that preliminary indications pointed to a cardiac incident but an inquiry was still underway.

Local media reported a day earlier the body was found inside the Thai Air office at the airport terminal after the employee had not been seen for several hours. Initial medical assessments cited by local outlets suggested no immediate signs of foul play.

“A preliminary inquiry is underway,” Saifullah, a spokesperson for the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), who uses a single name, said in a statement.

“The Airport Security Force has been instructed to preserve nearby CCTV footage, while police and medical teams have been informed,” he added. “A detailed report will be submitted once the investigation is completed.”

Thai Air, the national carrier of Thailand, has long been used by Pakistani travelers flying to Bangkok and onward destinations in Southeast Asia, particularly for tourism and business travel.

Many Pakistani travelers also reach Thailand and other destinations in the region by first flying to Middle Eastern hubs such as Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi, before catching connecting flights.

However, these routes typically add to travel time compared with direct or near-direct options.