Gen Bajwa visits Rawalpindi church, participates in Christmas celebrations

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday visited the Christ Church in Rawalpindi and participated in Christmas celebrations.

The congregation gathered in the church to celebrate Christmas welcomed the army chief and thanked him for taking part in the festivities, according to a statement posted by Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor on his official Twitter account.

Speaking on the occasion, Gen Bajwa wished Merry Christmas to the entire Christian community of the country and acknowledged its contribution not only towards the creation of Pakistan but also its progress.

The army chief appreciated the role of various institutions in the fields of education, health and public welfare being managed by the Christian community across Pakistan.

The Commander Rawalpindi Corps also accompanied Gen Bajwa during his visit to the church.

Christmas services and other celebrations are being held across the country as the Christian community is celebrating the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ amidst tight security.

Security has been stepped up outside churches in the wake of a terrorist attack on the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church located on Quetta’s Zarghoon Road that killed 10 people and wounded more than 50.

As the day dawned, a large number of congregants, dressed in their finest, poured in churches for special services. Special prayers were held for peace and prosperity of Pakistan.