Zubair Qureshi Islamabad
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday sent Easter greetings to the Christian community acknowledging their role in the progress and prosperity of Pakistan. Special prayers and ceremonies were organized in churches for peace, progress and prosperity of the country.
In his message, President Zardari said all the communities enjoyed equal religious, political, social and economic rights in Pakistan as the constitution guaranteed these rights to all religious communities. “The Christian community is a precious asset of Pakistan,” the president said, adding that Easter was an occasion that brought a message of hope, affection and prosperity.
Appreciating the Christian community’s contributions to the national progress, he further observed, “The Christian community has always played their role in the progress and prosperity of the country.” Zardari reaffirmed that Pakistan was committed to protection of the rights of all communities and would ensure all steps for their prosperity. For the country’s progress and prosperity, the entire nation including minorities would have to collectively work together, he added.
Separately, in his message on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also extended greetings to the Christian community of Pakistan and around the world. “Much more than festivity and celebration, Easter is an occasion to reinforce and reflect on the values of love, tolerance and forgiveness as espoused by Jesus Christ and is a reminder to emulate these in our daily lives to bring harmony and peace in today’s strife and conflict-ridden world,” he said.
