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RAWALPINDI, Dec 16 (APP):Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan on Tuesday extended warm Christmas greetings to the Christian community during a festive event held at the Governor’s Annexe in Rawalpindi, pledging his full support for minority rights. He said that minorities have a vital role in national progress.
The governor, while highlighting the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) historic role in empowering marginalized groups, said that minorities have a long affiliation with his party, as many from them are represented in the country’s parliamentary system.
Addressing a large gathering of Christians, Sardar Salim underlined that the PPP remains the only political party that truly loves and honours minorities.
“Senator Krishna Kumari Kohli, a Hindu woman, Anthony Naveed, the Deputy Speaker of the Sindh Assembly from the Christian community and Senator Dr Anwar Lal Din, a longtime Karachi-based PPP worker, are among the few examples of our party’s affection with the non Muslim communities”, he said, adding that PPP has always maintained deep ties with minorities.
He emphasized that minority communities love Pakistan more than many realize and have rendered invaluable services to the nation.
“We are all brothers and equal Pakistanis,” he added.
He assured the audience that the doors of the Governor’s House remain open for minorities at all times. He promised to facilitate meetings with Punjab’s Minister for Minority Affairs for stipends to Christian pastors, similar to those already approved for mosque imams. He also committed to resolving the longstanding graveyard issue for minorities in Hasan Abdal.
The event was addressed by the Christian community, pastors, Hindu pandits, while schoolchildren presented songs and tableaus. Notable attendees included PPP Minorities Wing Attock President Rawinder Singh and former MNA Ghulam Murtaza.
Later, the governor, along with the hosting reps, cut the Christmas cake.