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ISLAMABAD, Dec 23 (APP): The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) on Wednesday organized a grand ceremony at its headquarters to jointly commemorate Christmas and the birth anniversary of the Founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, underscoring the values of unity, religious harmony, and inclusive nation-building.
The event was attended by BISP employees from the Christian community, beneficiary women and their families, media representatives, and senior officers and staff of the programme.
Addressing the ceremony, Chairperson BISP, Senator Rubina Khalid, extended warm Christmas greetings to the Christian community and said that December 25 is a day of joy for all Pakistanis as it marks both the birthday of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Christmas.
She stressed that there is an urgent need to practically implement Quaid-e-Azam’s vision of an independent, strong, and prosperous Pakistan.
Senator Rubina Khalid emphasized that national development requires collective thinking and unity, a principle also upheld by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who believed in a strong federation supported by strong federating units. “Pakistan is our first priority and a matter of pride for all of us. My Pakistan is my identity,” she said, adding that discrimination on the basis of color, race, language, or religion leads to destruction, while unity paves the way for progress and success.
Addressing BISP officers and staff, the Chairperson urged them to perform their duties with honesty and dedication.
She said that true success in the hereafter lies in serving the creation of Allah Almighty and resolving the problems of the people.
She described the Benazir Income Support Programme as a great responsibility entrusted to her and said that BISP is taking practical steps, in line with the vision and teachings of the Founder of Pakistan, to promote social justice and protect the most vulnerable segments of society.
Speaking specifically at the Christmas celebration, Senator Rubina Khalid said that BISP was celebrating Christmas with its Christian beneficiary mothers, sisters, and their children, reflecting the true spirit of love, solidarity, and national unity in Pakistan.
She prayed that the coming year would bring peace, stability, and progress for Pakistan and its people, emphasizing that “we are Pakistanis first.”
She recalled that both Hazrat Isa (A.S.) and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) preached messages of love, peace, tolerance, and respect for humanity, and stressed the need to uproot the seeds of hatred from society. Expressing hope for the future, she said that the year 2026 should become a year of peace, love, brotherhood, and tolerance for the country.
Addressing the gathering, Additional Secretary BISP Dr. Asmat Nawaz said that even Quaid-e-Azam’s opponents acknowledged his honesty, integrity, and principled character.
He noted that Quaid-e-Azam is remembered not only as the Founder of Pakistan but also as a global statesman whose guidance continues to serve as a beacon for the nation.
He added that despite limited resources, BISP is striving to support marginalized communities and bring them into the national mainstream.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Senator Rubina Khalid cut the Christmas and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah birthday cake along with members of the Christian community and distributed gifts among children of Christian families on behalf of the Benazir Income Support Programme, marking the occasion with a message of inclusion, harmony, and shared national pride.