Pakistan belongs to everyone; no one will be allowed to misuse religion: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, while paying tribute to the services of the Christian community in every walk of life, said that Pakistan belongs to all, and all citizens enjoy equal rights and religious freedoms.

He said no one will be allowed to do wrongdoing in the name of religion, and the law will take its course in case of excesses.

He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony held at the Prime Minister’s House on Thursday on the occasion of Christmas. Federal ministers, parliamentarians, prominent members of the Christian community and diplomatic officials were also present.

The prime minister said that “Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) was a messenger of Allah who freed humanity from oppression, became a healing hand, and spread the message of love, peace and respect for humanity. Today, the world needs this message more than ever.”

He said minorities, including the Christians in Pakistan, enjoy equal rights. Their valuable historic role is visible in every sector of life, including medicine, national defence, the judiciary, education and health, he said.

Recalling the past, he said when India attacked Pakistan in May, the armed forces under the dynamic leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir forced the enemy to retreat. When the Pakistan Air Force brought down seven enemy aircraft, it revived the memory of Cecil Chaudhry.

The prime minister said that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah stressed religious freedoms for minorities in his speeches, and this is part of our Constitution.

He said that the Pakistan Muslim League-N and its leader, Nawaz Sharif, have always given respect and dignity to minorities and even held ceremonies for them in Raiwind.

He said that when Haroon William sacrificed his life fighting the enemy, he (the PM) attended his funeral along with the field marshal.

He categorically stated that every citizen in Pakistan has complete freedom to practise their religion; no one will be allowed to act arbitrarily in the name of religion, and the law will act in case of any injustice against any citizen.

“This is our shared homeland, and all citizens here have equal rights,” he added. He said that in the journey of development and prosperity, everyone must move forward shoulder to shoulder.

The prime minister, along with senior Christian leaders, also cut the Christmas cake and extended good wishes to the Christian community on Christmas.

Earlier, Minister of State for Interfaith Harmony Kheel Das Kohistani said that Hindus, Christians, Sikhs and all minorities in Pakistan enjoy complete religious freedom and are equal citizens.

He said that minorities stand shoulder to shoulder with the government, whereas in India, Modi is spreading hatred in the name of religion and minorities there do not enjoy freedom and security.

Member of the National Assembly Nelson Azeem said that the ceremony for the Christian community at the Prime Minister’s House is a welcome step and thanked the prime minister for including minorities in the national mainstream.

He said Christmas gives a message of peace, love and forgiveness. Christian leaders also addressed the ceremony and thanked the prime minister.