Says the country’s desire for peace must not be construed as its weakness. PHOTO: FILE
“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 the occasion of Christmas to be celebrated on Monday.
He said much more than festivity and celebration, the spirit of Christmas was to share, to reach out, and to love all humanity.
Premier Abbasi said Jesus Christ brought and preached the message of peace, brotherhood and love for the whole humanity.
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He guided people towards virtuous living and urged them to seek divine mercy. As a divine messenger, Jesus Christ was venerable to adherents of all religions, he added.
He also paid the highest tribute to the sacrifices made by the Christian brethren in Pakistan’s fight against terrorism.
The prime minister said the government of Pakistan holds sacrosanct the equality and freedom of conscience of all citizens irrespective of belief, creed or religion.
“Our commitment to this fundamental principle is firmly grounded in the teachings of Islam, the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the inviolable guarantees of our Constitution,” he remarked.
“We are committed to building a society that respects difference and finds strength in diversity; a nation that is tolerant and cohesive; and a state that provides equal rights and opportunities to all citizens,” he said.
'Government committed to fulfilling promise of mainstreaming FATA'
Prime Minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has also stressed that his government is resolved to uplift the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) at par with other parts of the country to fulfill the commitment made by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the third Governor’s FATA Youth Festival at Jamrud Sports Complex in Khyber Agency, the prime minister said the government was in the process of enacting legislation to replace the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) Act.
Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Federal Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal, Deputy Speaker National Assembly Murtaza Javed Abbasi, Advisor to PM Amir Muqam and Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme Marvi Memon were present on the occasion.
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The prime minister told the gathering that the legislation regarding FATA reform was in its final phases, as the government desired to accomplish the process by taking all stakeholders on board.
“This is not politics. This is need of the hour. This is the commitment made by Qauid-e-Azam which needs to be fulfilled,” the prime minister affirmed.
He said that the expertise demonstrated by FATA youth at the festival was evidence that they were as talented as the young people from other parts of the country.
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"The peace in FATA today is a fitting tribute to the sacrifices by the security forces personnel, civil administration and the people of the tribal areas in the war on terror," PM Abbasi said.
"At one time, the elimination of terrorism from FATA looked to be an impossible task, but the government achieved the objective by bringing all stakeholders together to purge the area of the scourge."
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