Islamabad - President Mamnoon Hussain has felicitated the entire Christian community, particularly the Christians residing in Pakistan, on the auspicious occasion of Easter.
The President in his message also reiterated the government’s resolve that the Christians and other minorities in Pakistan will always enjoy equal rights as citizens of the country. “The solemn occasion of Easter reminds us of Prophet Jesus’ (AS) noble teachings of love, tolerance and brotherhood which he preached to mankind as a true prophet of God. It is imperative that universal teachings of Prophet Jesus be disseminated in society for promotion of peace and fraternity,” he added.
The President on this occasion also lauded the immense contribution of the Christian community in struggle for the creation of Pakistan and its national development and expressed his firm belief that they will continue to play their proactive role in progress and stability of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, President of Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) Asif Ali Zardari felicitating Christians on the eve of Easter has called upon the people to work for promoting human equality, religious tolerance and interfaith harmony, irrespective of caste or creed.
In his message on Saturday, Asif Zardari said, “I felicitate the Christians of the world, both within Pakistan and abroad and wish them a blessed Easter.” On this occasion I wish to reiterate that the PPP rejects all forms of religious apartheid and condemns the misuse, in the name of religion, of some laws mostly against members of the Christian community, he said.
The PPPP President said that ideology of religious apartheid and violence in the name of religion lies at the root of terrorism that must be curbed. Deploring the increasing instances of misuse of blasphemy law against the minorities including Christians, Asif Zardari called upon scholars and intellectuals to deliberate on how to check this growing abuse and misuse of the law and promote interfaith harmony.
The former President also paid tributes to the members of Christian community as ‘peaceful, law abiding and loyal’ adding also “the role played by them in the advancement and development of the country is most laudable.” Let us all work together towards protecting the right of all minorities to freely profess and practice their religion, he added.