Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that Pakistan’s Christian community, which is celebrating Christmas today, is an integral part of the country’s national fabric.
“Pakistan’s Christian community forms an integral part of our national fabric. Their enduring contributions to education, healthcare, and social welfare, and their sacrifices alongside the nation in the fight against terrorism, are deeply valued and a source of collective pride,” the premier said in his Christmas message on the social media platform X.
He extended his “warmest greetings” to the Christian community across the world, and “especially to our Christian brothers and sisters in Pakistan”.
“May this festive season fill hearts with joy, strengthen bonds of harmony, and bring peace, hope, and prosperity to all,” the premier said.
Separately, a statement carried by state-run APP quoted him as saying that Christmas “conveys a universal message of love, peace, tolerance, and goodwill for all humanity”.
He highlighted the role of the Christian community in Pakistan, saying that they were “an active, positive and peaceful segment of society and had rendered commendable services in education, healthcare and other sectors, contributing to social harmony and national development”.
The premier said ensuring equal rights, freedoms, economic well-being, and equal opportunities for all citizens without discrimination remained among the top priorities of the government and urged people of all faiths to work together for a strong, secure, and prosperous Pakistan.
PM Shehbaz also spoke at a ceremony held in relevance to Christmas in Islamabad.
He hailed the “valuable and historic” role of Pakistan‘s minorities, especially that of the Christian community, saying that they had been contributing to the country’s progress and prosperity since its independence.
The Christian community had played an impressive role in education, healthcare, defence and other areas, the premier said, remembering Justice Alvin Robert Cornelius, Dr Ruth Pfau and Cecil Chaudhry.
The recent conflict with India in May particularly enlivened the memory of Chaudhry, who was a hero of the 1965 war.
PM Shehbaz also recalled that Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had clearly stated in his addresses that in Pakistan, everyone would be able to visit their places of worship and perform their rituals without any fear.
These ideals were now part of the Constitution, he added.
PM Shehbaz also lauded those “Christian brothers” who had sacrificed their lives for the country, especially mentioning Sepoy Haroon William, a member of the armed forces who lost his life in Kurram district last year.
He assured that any injustice to minorities, be it Christians, Hindus, Parsis or Sikhs, would not be allowed and stopped by means of law.
