ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif felicitated the global Christian community on Sunday as its members celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ around the world.
In a message issued on the occasion, Alvi called Christmas a special occasion since it marked the birth of Christ “who was sent to this world as a symbol of peace, brotherhood, and respect for the entire community.”
“The Government of Pakistan is committed to protecting the fundamental rights of the minority community which are guaranteed and protected in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” he said.
The president added the country’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, had guaranteed these rights to all citizens, “irrespective of their religion, caste, and creed.”
“On this auspicious occasion, I appreciate the valuable services of all minorities, especially the Christian Community, for their country, especially in the field of health and education,” he added. “I pay tribute to all of them for their patriotic and sincere services to this country and I am confident that they would continue to play their role as harbingers of peace and prosperity in Pakistan.”
Prime Minister Sharif also emphasized the need to follow the values of compassion, love, tolerance and brotherhood which, he said in a statement, were embodied by Christ to strengthen humanity’s moral fabric.
“Merry Christmas to the Christian community around the world & particularly our Pakistani Christian brothers & sisters,” he wrote on Twitter. “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.”
Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan also wished “all our Christian citizens a very happy Christmas” in a Twitter post.
Pakistan’s founder pledged religious freedom in the country while telling the constituent assembly in August 1947 that all citizens would be free to go to their places of worship.
