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KARACHI, Dec 25 (APP): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah hosted a Christmas celebration at the Chief Minister’s House on Thursday to mark the birth anniversary of Hazrat Isa (A.S.), spreading a message of peace, harmony and interfaith unity.
On the occasion, the chief minister cut a Christmas cake along with Christian religious leaders and extended warm Christmas greetings to the Christian community, said a news release.
He also posed for a group photograph with the guests. Special prayers were offered for peace, prosperity and development of Pakistan after the cake-cutting ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Syed Murad Ali Shah said that Christmas is one of the most important festivals of the Christian community and is celebrated across the world with great enthusiasm. He stated that the teachings of Hazrat Isa (A.S.) are based on peace, love, tolerance and brotherhood, values which are urgently needed in today’s world.
The chief minister acknowledged the significant role of the Christian community in the development of Pakistan, particularly highlighting the contributions of missionary schools in promoting education across the country. He reaffirmed that minorities in Pakistan enjoy all fundamental rights and emphasized that the Pakistan Peoples Party has always raised its voice for the rights of all citizens without any discrimination.
Murad Ali Shah further said that the land of Sindh has a long tradition of respecting and protecting followers of all religions. “The world today needs peace. Let us all join hands to make this world a cradle of peace and resolve to make this universe more beautiful,” he added.
Archbishop Emeritus of Karachi, Cardinal Joseph Coutts, thanked the Sindh government and the chief minister for organising the Christmas celebration at the CM House and for standing in solidarity with the Christian community.
The ceremony was attended by provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Mukesh Chawla, Ali Hassan Zardari, Jam Khan Shoro, Qasim Naveed Qamar, Sham Sunder Advani, Raj Vir Singh, Virji Kohli, Deputy Speaker Sindh Assembly Naveed Anthony, members of the Sindh Assembly, former MPAs, and a large number of Christian religious leaders, bishops, pastors, Church representatives and other distinguished guests.