Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday distributed "Eidi" among members of the Christian community to celebrate Christmas and extended warm Xmas greetings to the community across the country.
Deserving people residing in "katchi abadis" in Islamabad were specially invited to the Prime Minister house, where he personally wished them and asked to pray for the solidarity of the country on their religious festival.
The Prime Minister enquired about their preparation to celebrate the occasion.
He assured the government was fully committed to the welfare and wellbeing of minorities.
The Prime Minister told them minorities enjoy equal rights in Pakistan and through the joint electorate system they were now given dual voting rights.
The joint electorate system, he added, has strengthened the voice of minorities in elected institutions.
There is a complete religious freedom and minorities are free to practice their religious rites, he added.
He pointed out all religions emphasise the need to promote peace and brotherhood.
The Prime Minister said the government is taking necessary steps to ensure the Christian community celebrates Xmas in a peaceful manner. He appealed to them to pray for Pakistan on the occasion as a strong and stable country was in the interest of all.
Pakistan Muslim League secretary-general Mushahid Hussain Syed, who was also present on the occasion, said it was the policy of the government to ensure equal rights for all citizens.
MNA Mushtaq Victor thanked the Prime Minister for introducing the practice of inviting members of the Christian community to the Prime Minister house on the occasion of Xmas and giving them Xmas gifts.
He also pointed out as against the past practice giving associate membership to minorities, the Muslim League has decided to make them formal members of the party.
He said these steps together with the introduction of joint electorate would go a long way in promoting social and inter-faith harmony.
MNA Akram Gill said the credit goes to the Muslim League government for its open door policies for minorities. Members of the Christian community were overjoyed by the invitation extended to them by the Prime Minister.
"We are very grateful to the Prime Minister for inviting us here," Hans Masih said after the reception.
Community members also thanked the government for provision of gas to the slum areas of Islamabad before Xmas and said it is also a Xmas gift.
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