- President Mamnoon says services rendered by Christian community greatly valued by people and government
- PM Abbasi says spirit of Christmas is to love all humanity
ISLAMABAD: Like other parts of the world, the Christian community living in Pakistan celebrated Christmas with zeal and fervour.
In Pakistan, the Christian community celebrated its religious festival with traditional enthusiasm.
Special services were held in churches across the country on Monday and prayers were offered for peace, progress and prosperity of Pakistan.
Residential colonies had been decorated with twinkling lights, stars and baubles such as bells, pine cones, apples, candies, tinsel and balloons, bedecking trees, streets, houses and churches.
Felicitating the Christian community in Pakistan and across the world on Christmas, President Mamnoon Hussain said that it was the day to reiterate the universal teachings of patience, tolerance, kindness and goodwill, not only for the Christians but the whole of mankind.
The president said that peace and happiness could be brought back to the world, which was engaged in conflicts and wars, by adopting aforementioned virtues.
“The lesson that we learn from the teachings of the Jesus Christ (AS) is that life and property of all people living on this planet should be given equal respect and protection without discriminating on the basis of colour, caste, religion and belief,” he said.
Mamnoon said that human beings should not be made fuel for fighting wars for material interests, but instead the valuable resources should be spent on the welfare and development of humanity. This is the best way to commemorate Jesus Christ (AS), he added.
In his message, President Mamnoon said that the services rendered by the Christian community of Pakistan for progress and stability of the country, particularly in the fields of medicine and education, were greatly valued by the people and government of Pakistan.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi felicitated the Christian community across the globe, appreciating the efforts of Pakistani Christians for socio-economic development of their homeland.
“We are proud of our Christian brethren. They are an integral part of our multicultural polity, and I am confident that their patriotic contributions will continue to accelerate the pace of Pakistan’s progress,” he said in his message on Christmas.
The premier said that much more than festivity and celebration, the spirit of Christmas was to share, to reach out, and to love all humanity.
He said that Jesus Christ (AS) brought and preached the message of peace, brotherhood and love for the whole humanity. “He guided people towards virtuous living and urged them to seek divine mercy,” added the prime minister.
As a divine messenger, Jesus Christ (AS) was venerable to adherents of all religions, PM Abbasi added.
Furthermore, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa joined the Christian community at Christ Church, Rawalpindi, in Christmas celebrations.
“The congregation welcomed COAS and thanked him for sharing the festivity. COAS wished Merry Christmas to the entire Christian community in Pakistan,” said a statement issued by Inter Services Public Relations on Monday.
The COAS acknowledged the role of Christian brethren not only towards the creation of Pakistan but also for their contributions towards its progress.
Moreover, he appreciated the role of various institutions in the fields of education, health and public welfare being managed by Christian community across Pakistan. He especially acknowledged their contributions in defence of the motherland as part of armed forces.
Rawalpindi Corps commander was also present during the Christmas festivities.