ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday extended Easter greetings to Pakistani Christians celebrating the holiday, acknowledging their valuable contributions to the country’s development and progress.
Easter is the most important festival of the year for most Christians, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus as it is described in the New Testament.
“I extend my heartful greetings to the Christian community of Pakistan and around the world, on the occasion of Easter,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) shared a message on Sharif’s behalf on social media platform X.
Sharif acknowledged the “immense contributions” of the Christian community in Pakistan’s socio-economic development, saying that he believed they would continue to play their role in the country’s progress and stability.
“While we celebrate diversity of faiths as a source of strength and enrichment in our nation, let us join hands toward building a society that is tolerant and cohesive and together defeat the forces of discord that are trying to cause harm to the fabric of our society,” he added.
In a separate message, President Zardari said Easter brings a message of hope, love and prosperity for all.
“The Christian community is a valuable asset of Pakistan,” the president’s official account wrote on social media platform X. “Our Christian brothers and sisters have actively participated in the development and prosperity of Pakistan.”
Christians, who make up around two percent of Pakistan’s Muslim-majority population, occupy one of the lowest rungs in society and are frequently targeted with spurious blasphemy allegations.
Last August, over 80 Christian homes and 19 churches were vandalized by crowds in the eastern city of Jaranwala after accusations spread that a Holy Qur’an had been desecrated.
