KARACHI: Christmas services and other celebrations are being held across the country today as the Christian community celebrates 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.
Facilitating the Christian community on their celebratory occasion, President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in their separate messages lauded the sincere efforts of Christians for the socio-economic development of Pakistan.
The president said this is a day to reiterate universal teachings of patience, tolerance, kindness and goodwill for the whole mankind.
He said the country’s Constitution guarantees equal rights for all minority communities and the government was fulfilling its constitutional and moral responsibilities in this regard.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in his felicitation message said that Jesus Christ (AS) brought and preached the message of peace, brotherhood and love for the whole humanity.
In a tweet, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif extended his felicitations to the Christian community on the festive occasion of Christmas. He said: “Heartiest congratulations to the Christian community around the world on the festive occasion of Christmas! My gratitude to the Pakistani Christian community for their amazing public service.”
Heartiest congratulations to the Christian community around the world on the festive occasion of Christmas! My gratitude to the Pakistani Christian community for their amazing public service! -ss
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) December 25, 2017
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tweeted, “Merry Christmas to my Christian brothers and sisters. Wishing you all joy, love & peace. Bilawal House Christmas tree out in solidarity again this year.”
Merry Christmas to my Christian brothers and sisters. Wishing you all joy, love & peace. Bilawal House Christmas tree out in solidarity again this year. pic.twitter.com/e1hOZNFPQZ
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) December 25, 2017
On December 17, a pair of suicide bombers attacked Bethel Memorial Methodist Church located on Zarghoon Road in Quetta during Sunday service, killing at least 10 people and wounding more than 50.
