‘Christians have played vital role in national development’

Several events held in churches, govt and private offices

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said religious minorities, including the Christian community, have played an important role in national development and their services were praiseworthy.

He expressed these views on a special ceremony on the occasion of Christmas along with Minister for Minorities Affairs and Human Rights Ijaz Alam and other members of the cabinet. Christian community celebrated its religious festival of Christmas with fervour on Wednesday. Several events and cake-cutting ceremonies were held in churches, government and private offices across Punjab.

The chief minister congratulated the Christian community on Christmas and said, such festivals promote religious harmony in the society. He said religious minorities have played an important role in national development and their services are praiseworthy. “Pakistan belongs to all of us, people of different faiths enjoy equal rights and complete religious freedom in the country.”

CM leads Balochistan govt’s Christmas celebrations

Buzdar reiterated the PTI government has provided equal opportunities to all the minorities. He maintained that non-Muslim Pakistanis have proved their mettle and brought laurels home with their wonderful performances in all sectors of life. The chief minister said the Punjab government has introduced minority's empowerment package along with the provision of millions of rupees for the students’ scholarships on minority’s quota.

Provincial ministers Mian Mahmood ur Rasheed, Murad Raas, Sardar Hasnain Bahadur Dreshak, Mohsin Leghari, Hussain Jehanian Gardezi and others were also present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 26^th, 2019.