The bigwigs of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam party have used their Christmas and the Quaid-i-Azam Day messages to emphasise the importance of security, unity and to applaud those involved in protecting the country from terrorism.
In their messages with some uncanny echoes of the party's past, party President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, senior central leader Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and his son, Moonis Elahi, who is a parliamentarian, said, "Every Pakistani is bound to turn into reality the dream of the Founder of Pakistan Mohammad Ali Jinnah visualised on the creation of Pakistan about making this land as haven of peace and prosperity and realisation of this dream of the Quaid-i-Azam still remains a debt on all of us."
They said, "Christians and other minorities are our brothers who have been provided complete protection and rights in the constitution, the party, in accordance with Islamic teachings and sayings of the Quaid-i-Azam will continue defending their rights and standing with them in their moments of happiness and sorrow ? as in the past." Paying tributes to the armed forces, they said, "All Pakistanis, including Christians and other minorities, as well, will have to struggle shoulder to shoulder with each other for progress, prosperity and prestige of Pakistan." They also said they hoped Christian brothers, whose well-being and welfare by taking special measures were part of the party manifesto, would pray for security and stability of Pakistan at Christmas.