COAS hosts banquet dinner in honour of leading Christian clergy

RAWALPINDI, Aug 17 (APP):Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa hosted a banquet dinner in the honour of
leading Christian clergy in Pakistan, said a press release issued here by Inter
Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Friday.
The dinner was attended, among others, by Cardinal Joseph Coutts and Right Reverend Humphrey
Sarfraz Peter.
The Army Staff regarded the appointment of Cardinal Coutts as a great national honour and a
milestone towards fostering national harmony and accord.
He lauded the contributions of Pakistani Christians in national development including
promotion of quality education, healthcare and philanthropic services, making
special mention of the outstanding role played by a number of minority members
in the defence of the motherland.
He expressed deep respect for Christian community and stressed upon the need for promoting
greater interfaith harmony in society in order to march toward Quaid’s true
vision of a united and progressive Pakistan.
In their notes of gratitude, Cardinal Coutts and Reverend Peter appreciated Army Chief’s gesture
as an inspiration for Pakistani minorities to take greater and more active part in nation building and in restoring their faith in a cohesive and tolerant society.
They expressed their resolve to take steps for more positive role by
Christian community towards national development and progress.
Other eminent dignitaries present on the occasion included Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw, Archbishop Joseph Arshad, Bishop Benny Marlo Travas and Father Sohail Patrick.
Church of Pakistan was represented by Right Reverend Irfan Jamil, Right Reverend Roderick
Leo Paul, Right Reverend John Samuel, Right Reverend Alvin Samuel, Bishop Manoo
Romal Shah, Reverend Maqsood Kamil and Reverend Nadeem Kamil. Senator John
Kenneth Williams and a few serving and retired Army officers from Christian
community also formed part of the gathering which ended in prayers for national