ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that our government is dedicated to preserve the sanctity of peaceful coexistence and equality of opportunities enjoyed by all Pakistanis including our minorities.
In his message on the occasion of Christmas being celebrated on Wednesday, the prime minister said that our government treats all minority citizens as equal citizens of Pakistan and undertakes to empower them to use their abilities socially, economically and politically for national development.
“I extend my heartiest felicitations and wish Merry Christmas to our Christian brethren in Pakistan and all over the world,” Imran Khan said. “Christmas is an auspicious occasion to reflect on the message of Jesus Christ, the eternal message of love, peace, tolerance and compassion for humanity.”
The prime minister said that we as Muslims deeply revere Jesus Christ as one of the great messengers of Allah Almighty. He said that Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had right from the first day of creation of Pakistan unequivocally declared a policy of equality, freedom and security for all communities living in Pakistan irrespective of their religion, profession or ethnic origin.
Imran Khan further said that i am immensely happy to note that minorities in Pakistan are actively contributing to the development and prosperity of the country without any hindrance including serving in the armed forces of Pakistan. He said that this reflects the communal harmony and profound cohesion between all faiths practiced across the length and breadth of the Country. He also said that this is the spirit that binds us together as one family to celebrate our blessings and the values we hold dear. In the same spirit, the government of Pakistan established Kartarpur Corridor to enable the Sikh Community visit their sacred shrine thereby explicitly expressing the importance we accord to minorities and people of other faith, he said.
“On this happy day, I wish to acknowledge the diverse and productive role being played by all the minorities living in Pakistan; particularly the Christian Community for the socio-economic development of the Country in general and in the fields of health and education in particular,” Imran Khan said.
“I greatly appreciate their patriotism, devoted service and sincere attachment to the country and am confident that they will continue to play their due role for peace, progress and prosperity of Pakistan with even more dedication,” he added.