Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has felicitated Christian community on Christmas and said that the birthday of Jesus Christ is sacred day for the Christian community as well as Muslims. He said that celebrations of Christmas together promote unity, love and mutual relations between Christian and Muslims. The chief minister in his message said that Christian community has played a commendable role in the creation of Pakistan as well as its development and prosperity and services and patriotism of Christians for Pakistan are beyond any doubt.
He said that the Christian community has played an important role in the service to the humanity and promotion of education. He said that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in his address to the first Legislative Assembly after creation of Pakistan had made it clear that all citizens of the country will have equal rights and every Pakistani irrespective of religion have the right to pray in accordance with his faith in his place of warship.
Shahbaz Sharif said the Punjab government has taken solid measures for the welfare and betterment of all minorities, including Christians and they have equal rights. He said that Christian community is peace-loving and deserves respect. He said that Muslims equally share the joys and happiness of Christians. The Chief Minister further said that founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah stressed on equal rights to all minorities and under the constitution of Pakistan, minorities have full rights to live and work in the country. He said that Pakistan Muslim League-N government led by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has ensured protection of rights of minorities. He said that on Christmas, there is a need to spread the message of love and brotherhood all over the country.