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Muzaffargarh marks Christmas with official ceremonies,relief cheques distributed

By
Samina Ch
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MUZAFFARGARH , Dec 25 (APP):Christmas was celebrated at the official level in the district on Thursday to honour the Christian community and acknowledge its services to society.
According to a spokesperson,a ceremony was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office,where DC Usman Tahir distributed relief cheques among deserving members of the Christian community,saying the step was taken on behalf of the Punjab government to provide relief amid rising inflation.
He said all minorities enjoy equal rights and that special arrangements were made to facilitate Christmas celebrations,including cleanliness and decorative lighting of churches.
Meanwhile,a Christmas ceremony was also held at the Police Lines,where DPO Ghazanfar Ali Shah distributed relief cheques among Christian police employees and said the event aimed to promote interfaith harmony.
A police spokesperson said around 300 personnel were deployed to ensure the security of churches across the district.

Christmas celebrated at Pakistan Consulate General in Jeddah

By
Shumaila Andleeb
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JEDDAH, Saudi Arab Dec 25 (APP):Pakistan Christian Welfare Society (PCWS) celebrated Christmas Day at the premises of the Consulate General of Pakistan. The event was held in a modest and respectful manner. While Saudi Arabia is an Islamic country, recently social openness has allowed non-Muslim residents to mark the occasions privately, International Schools, embassies compound, organize low-key Christmas gatherings, cultural activities and festive decorations.
In event members of the Christian community, along with invited guests, participated in the celebration, which included prayers, greetings, and expressions of goodwill.
Syed Mustafa Rabbani, a newly arrived Consul General of Pakistan, was chief guest of the ceremony. In his address Rabbani congratulated the Christian community and lauded the role of the Christian community in the progress and prosperity of Pakistan. He said, “It (the role of Christians) is unbelievable and their desire to live in peace and love with other communities in Pakistan is seen with respect.” He said the teaching of Prophet Issa (Jesus) was forgiveness and tolerance. We should spread his message and practice the teaching in our lives too.
Patrick Falak Shar, vice president PCWS, welcomed all guests and congratulated the audience on Christmas. He said, “God has given the right to live to everyone in mankind. So, everyone should live in peace while fostering brotherhood.”
John Gulzar, president PCWS, while praising the feeling of community in Pakistan, said, “We have all commercial and religious privileges in Pakistan and that has allowed for a stable community.” He expressed his gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and his government for giving opportunities to work and serve the country. He prayed for progress and prosperity of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. John Gulzar thanked the Pakistan Consulate and consul general for the use the premises for making Christmas day.
Talib was master of ceremony. He highlighted the massage of love, harmony, and coexistence and reaffirmed commitment to interfaith harmony and equal rights for all citizens of Pakistan.
Earlier, children presented followers to the guests. A Christmas cake-cutting ceremony was also held.

Global forest products trade, production show signs of recovery in 2024: UN agency

By
Samina Ch
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UITED NATIONS, Dec 25 (APP):After a sharp decline in 2023, the global forest products sector saw signs of stabilization in 2024, according to Global forest products facts and figures 2024 , released today by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), a Rome-based UN agency.
The report highlights that global international trade in wood and paper products has regained momentum, with modest growth recorded across most major product groups.
The upswing comes after a 14 percent drop overall in trade of wood and paper products in 2023, it was pointed out..
FAO’s statistics cover 77 product categories, 27 product groups and over 245 countries and territories. The report presents recent trends in data for trade and for each of the main forest product groups.
Different types of trees can be used for housing, shelter, heat, food, medicine and even textiles or buildings.
“Forests support millions of livelihoods worldwide, and the number is set to rise as forests offer more economic opportunities in a growing range of industries, including sustainable wood production,” said FAO Director-General Dongyu Qu.
Promoting the sustainable use of forests is also part of Sustainable Development Goal 15, a vision countries have agreed to.
When sustainably used, forests sustain life, it said. Another recently published report by FAO assessing forest resources showed that the net loss of forest area has been reduced by more than half since the 1990s and that over 90 per cent of forests are regenerating naturally.

Mohsin Naqvi extends heartfelt Christmas greetings to Christian community

By
NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Dec 25 (APP): Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday extended warm and heartfelt Christmas greetings to the Christian community, expressing solidarity and shared joy on the festive occasion.

Naqvi said that the government and the people of Pakistan fully shared the happiness with the Christian community during Christmas, a day that reminded everyone of the message of love, sacrifice, brotherhood and peace.

Highlighting the universal message of Prophet Jesus (AS), the minister said that he preached tolerance, respect for humanity and compassion. “The teachings of Jesus (AS) were meant not for a single group but for all of humanity,” he added.

Reaffirming the rights of religious freedom, Naqvi said the Christian community in Pakistan enjoys complete liberty to celebrate their religious and cultural traditions with full zeal and dignity.

He praised the Christian community’s remarkable contributions to education, healthcare, defence, social services, and nation-building, describing them as unforgettable and a source of national pride. He added that the community has always upheld the rule of law and promoted national unity, setting exemplary standards of loyalty, sacrifice, and service during difficult times.

Naqvi said that protecting the rights of minorities is a national obligation and stressed that the Constitution of Pakistan fully guarantees these rights.

He emphasized that promoting interfaith harmony and mutual respect was essential for building a strong and developed Pakistan. Reiterating the government’s resolve, the minister said that followers of all religions in the country would enjoy equal respect, protection and opportunities.

Khalid Magsi for renewing collective pledge to work for prosperous Pakistan

By
NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Dec 25 (APP): Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Khalid Hussain Magsi Thursday urged the nation to renew its collective pledge to uphold Quaid-e-Azam’s ideal, strengthen national unity, promote tolerance and work for a prosperous Pakistan.
In a message, the federal minister paid rich tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on his birth anniversary, honoring the founding father of Pakistan for his visionary leadership, wisdom, and unwavering determination that transformed the dream of an independent homeland into reality.
He said that Quaid-e-Azam’s guiding principles of Unity, Faith and Discipline continued to serve as a moral compass for the nation in confronting contemporary challenges.
Khalid Magsi emphasized that Jinnah’s steadfast commitment to justice, constitutionalism, tolerance and the protection of equal rights laid the firm foundations of a democratic and inclusive Pakistan.
He noted that Quaid-e-Azam’s message of respect for diversity, rule of law and interfaith harmony remained as relevant today as it was at the time of independence.
The minister urged the nation to renew its collective pledge to uphold Quaid-e-Azam’s ideals, strengthen national unity, promote tolerance, and work with dedication and integrity for a peaceful, progressive, and prosperous Pakistan for future generations.

PA speaker congratulates nation on Quaid-i-Azam’s birth anniversary,extends Christmas greetings

By
Samina Ch
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LAHORE, Dec 25 (APP):Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan on Thursday congratulated the nation on the birth anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah,saying the occasion serves as a reminder of the principles of faith,unity and discipline.
In a statement,he said the vision and principles of Quaid-i-Azam remain a guarantee of Pakistan’s success even today, adding that the country can be made strong and prosperous by following his ideals.
The speaker also extended heartfelt congratulations to the Christian community on the occasion of Christmas, saying the festival conveys a message of peace, love and religious harmony.
He said minorities in Pakistan enjoy complete religious freedom and equal rights.

Governor Balochistan pays tribute to Quaid’s invaluable services for independence, sovereignty of Pakistan

By
NNPS Desk
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QUETTA, Dec 25 (APP): Governor Balochistan Jaffar Khan Mandokhel on Thursday paid tribute to the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s invaluable services and unwavering dedication for the independence and sovereignty of Pakistan.
In his message on the 149th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Governor stressed the enduring importance of upholding the Quaid’s principles of unity, faith and discipline and said that these values were still essential for national unity and the country’s progress and prosperity.

He urged the people to pledge to actively participate in the building and development of Pakistan in accordance with the principles laid down by their Leader.

The Governor highlighted the need for collective measures to address the internal and external challenges facing the country and said that there is a need for all of us to work together to promote the spirit of cooperation, tolerance and full participation for building a bright future for Pakistan.

Iranian Ambassador extends felicitations on Quaid-e-Azam Day

By
NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Dec 25 (APP): Iran Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam has extended his felicitations to the Government and the Nation of Pakistan on the auspicious occasion of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s birth anniversary.

In his message on Thursday, the Ambassador highlighted Quaid-e-Azam’s visionary leadership, commitment to the Islamic Ummah and struggle for justice and dignity. He noted that Quaid-e-Azam’s ideals of unity, faith and discipline remained guiding pillars of Pakistan’s national journey.

The Ambassador reaffirmed Iran’s respect for Quaid-e-Azam’s legacy and commitment to strengthening bilateral ties between Iran and Pakistan.

He prayed for Pakistan’s progress and stability, guided by Quaid-e-Azam’s noble vision and principles.

Pak Embassy in Washington hosts party to celebrate Christmas

By
NNPS Desk
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WASHINGTON, Dec 25 (APP): The Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C, hosted a well-attended event to celebrate Christmas, underscoring the country’s commitment to interfaith harmony.

A Christmas cake was cut, and gifts were presented to the Christian staff members in appreciation of their dedicated services, according to the Embassy press release on Thursday.

Speaking in the occasion, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh highlighted the importance of religious tolerance and coexistence. “Pakistan is a multicultural, multilingual and multi-ethnic society. It is a place whose socio-cultural, religious, and other traditions have been nurtured and matured over millennia,” the Ambassador said.

Christmas, he said, is not just a happy occasion for the followers of Christianity; it is a joyous occasion for people all around the world. “We Muslims believe that Christ was a prophet among the chosen messengers of God, one who merited the grace and respect of a revealed scripture,” Ambassador Sheikh said.

The Ambassador said that the UN resolutions on interfaith harmony represented global consensus on interfaith harmony and on discouraging incitement to hatred within the universally accepted human rights framework.

“We wish our Christian brethren a joyous and festive celebration,” the Ambassador said in his message.

“I wish the New Year 2026 brings peace, progress, and prosperity to the entire world, and that the spirit of Christmas is cherished by mankind not only in 2026 but throughout the months and years ahead,” he concluded.

ITP deploys over 200 officers to manage traffic on Christmas in Islamabad

By
Samina Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Dec 25 (APP):Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) have deployed more than 200 traffic officers across the federal capital to ensure smooth traffic flow during Christmas activities on December 25.
An ITP spokesperson told APP on Thursday that traffic pickets have been set up at various locations to prevent congestion and facilitate commuters. He said special arrangements have been made on roads leading to parks and other recreational spots to keep traffic moving.
The spokesperson urged young people to avoid hooliganism and one-wheeling, warning that strict action would be taken against violations. He added that ITP officers would remain present on major arteries throughout the day to assist road users.
Citizens were advised to plan their travel accordingly and contact the traffic helpline 1915 or emergency helpline Pucar-15 for updates or assistance.
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