ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured minority communities of government’s full support in their journey towards progress and prosperity.
Addressing a ceremony which was held here at his office in connection with the Christmas celebrations on Thursday, the prime minister made it clear that no one would be allowed to commit injustice against minorities under any circumstances. He also expressed his resolve to stand firm with the minorities for the protection of their rights.
Shahbaz stated that Pakistan belongs to everyone and that all citizens enjoy equal rights and religious freedom. He emphasised that no one will be allowed to act arbitrarily in the name of religion, and the law will be enforced in cases of injustice.
He said Islam teaches love, peace, equality, justice and brotherhood, and similarly, the essence of the teachings of Holy Prophet (SAW) is to deal others with love and affection, and not to hurt others.
He emphasised that the Constitution of Pakistan greatly stressed for the protection of rights of minorities including Christians, Sikhs, Hindus and Parsis.
Referring to the speech of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah regarding religious freedom, Shehbaz said that the Father of Nation clearly stated that you are free to go to mosques, temples, churches and Gurdwaras. He said that these sayings of Quaid-e-Azam are an essential feature of the Constitution of Pakistan.
The prime minister highlighted the valuable contributions of minorities in the national development. He said that Christian community played an outstanding role for the country in multiple sectors, including education, justice, medicine and defence. He acknowledged Justice A R Cornelius, former Chief Justice of Pakistan, for his exemplary role in strengthening the country’s judicial system; Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry for his valour and services in the defence of Pakistan; and Dr Ruth Pfau for her extraordinary humanitarian work in healthcare, especially her lifelong fight against leprosy in the country.
The premier also highlighted the teachings of Hazrat Isa (AS) describing him as a symbol of peace, compassion and service to humanity. He said the message of love, justice and tolerance preached by Hazrat Isa (AS) is deeply relevant in the present age and aligned with the core principles of Islam and Pakistan’s founding vision.
Meanwhile, in a message shared on his official X handle, PM Shehbaz paid rich tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on his 149th birth anniversary, calling upon the nation to renew its commitment to the founder of Pakistan’s guiding principles of democracy, constitutionalism, social justice and religious harmony.
The prime minister said the birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam provided an important opportunity for collective reflection and a reaffirmation of resolve to uphold the vision of a welfare state rooted in equality and the rule of law. He said the Quaid’s enduring ideals of Faith, Unity and Discipline continued to serve as the foundation of Pakistan’s national strength and a guiding light for future generations.
He described Quaid-e-Azam as a visionary leader and a statesman of global stature whose political wisdom, unwavering resolve and selfless struggle changed the course of history.
The prime minister noted that Quaid-e-Azam’s tireless leadership made possible the creation of an independent homeland for the Muslims of the Subcontinent, enabling them to live with dignity, freedom and security.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to the founding father’s legacy, Shehbaz said the nation must follow in the footsteps of Quaid-e-Azam and work collectively for Pakistan’s honour, security, progress and prosperity.
He urged the citizens to draw inspiration from the life and teachings of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and translate his vision into action through unity, discipline and dedication to national service.
President Asif Ali Zardari, meanwhile, extended warm greetings and sincere wishes to Christian citizens of Pakistan and to Christian communities around the world on the joyous occasion of Christmas, describing it as a time of hope, peace and compassion.
Recalling Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision of Pakistan rooted in freedom and equality for all, the president cited his address to the first Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947, and said those words remain a powerful affirmation of the country’s commitment to religious freedom and mutual respect among all citizens.
Zardari also referred to the role of S P Singha and recalled war hero Cecil Chaudhry, while reiterating that Pakistan’s Constitution guarantees equal rights and freedom of religion for every citizen.
Meanwhile, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has stressed upon the importance of interfaith harmony, mutual respect and unity, stating that Pakistan’s strength lies in its diversity, equal opportunities and shared constitutional values beyond religion, ethnicity, caste and creed.
Field Marshal Asim Munir attended the Christmas celebrations at Christ Church in Rawalpindi, joining the Christian community in commemorating the joyous occasion. He extended heartfelt Christmas greetings and best wishes for peace, harmony and prosperity to the community.
Paying tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Field Marshal highlighted the Founder’s vision of equality, freedom and religious tolerance, emphasising the protection of minority rights as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s ideology.
Interacting with the congregation, the COAS & CDF highlighted the enduring contributions of Pakistani Christians to national development and security, including their proud and distinguished service in the Pakistan Armed Forces across generations. He reaffirmed Pakistan Armed Forces’ commitment to upholding the dignity, security and equal rights of all citizens, as enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan.
The Christian community leaders expressed gratitude for the Field Marshal’s visit, acknowledging Pakistan Armed Forces’ role for protection of homeland, inclusivity, religious harmony and national unity in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, in Pakistan Christmas celebrations are being held with enthusiasm, with churches decorated with Christmas trees and lights and worshippers offering prayers for peace, prosperity and national well-being.
In Karachi, prayer ceremonies were held by the Christian community in churches, with churches beautifully decorated as security was tightened around churches across the city. At St Patrick’s Church in Saddar, the community marked the festival with enthusiasm.
In Lahore, colourful celebrations began as soon as the clock struck 12 at night, with churches adorned with multi-coloured lights for the occasion.
At Cathedral Church, Regal Chowk, a large number of members of the Christian community attended the Christmas ceremony, where prayers were offered for the country’s prosperity and progress.
A major Christmas ceremony was also held at the St Luke Cathedral Church in Shahdara, where Father Irfan Yousaf led the prayer. A 100-pound cake was cut at the event, while Christmas songs were sung and a fireworks display was held.
Citizens participating in large numbers in the Christmas celebrations said Christmas was a day to promote love and affection, peace and brotherhood.
Meanwhile, Christmas in India unfolded amid utter fear and tension with countless reports of attacks, intimidation and disruptions on Christian gatherings and decorations by unruly Hindu vigilantes.
The attacks have been linked to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh affiliated and right wing Hindu groups in several states, including Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala.
At a mall in Chhattisgarh’s capital city, Raipur, Christmas decorations were vandalised by a mob of far-right Hindus. “Around 80-90 people barged in. For the last 16 years, since we began operations here…I have never seen such behaviour. The mob threatened us…shouted at us. They indulged in violence,” an employee of the mall was quoted as saying by a foreign media outlet.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a key Hindu nationalist organisation, issued public appeals urging Hindus to refrain from celebrating Christmas, describing participation in the festival as a threat to “cultural awareness,” Indian media reported.
Critics say these calls have contributed to an atmosphere of exclusion and emboldened groups to harass vendors, disrupt celebrations and intimidate Christians during the season.
In Kerala, a group of children, mostly under age 15, participating in a Christmas carol procession were attacked and their instruments destroyed by a man identified locally as affiliated with the RSS.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) state leader C Krishnakumar dismissed the incident by falsely claiming the group of children were a “drunken criminal gang” and insinuated political motives behind their carolling, a remark that parents and local residents described as deeply hurtful and misleading, given the minors involved.
BJP state vice president Shone George echoed this line, saying “if the carollers are indecent, they will definitely get beaten up”.
The comments alarmed families and rights advocates and prompted some parents to consider legal complaints for defamation and psychological harm to the children. In a strong condemnation of the attack, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) organised protest carols across the district.
In Madhya Pradesh, two separate incidents were reported where a local BJP district vice president assaulted a visually impaired woman attending a prayer meeting, with mob harassment also reported during church gatherings.
A video from Jabalpur showed BJP’s Anju Bhargava harassing and assaulting a visually impaired Christian woman attending a Christmas programme. The video caused outrage, with the opposition Congress party describing it as an example of “cruelty and insensitivity”.
In several cities, street vendors selling Christmas items such as Santa hats and decorations were intimidated and harassed, with bystanders and vigilantes accusing them of promoting “non-Hindu culture”, including in Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar, where Bajrang Dal members verbally confronted women and children wearing Santa Claus hats and urged them to celebrate only at home, reported Indian media.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the attacks on Christmas celebrations as antithetical to India’s secular ethos. Vijayan also highlighted pressure by RSS-linked groups on schools and institutions to cancel Christmas events.
Heightened police deployment has been reported at churches and sites of potential tension. For example, at a historic church in Hisar, Haryana, where authorities positioned officers to prevent clashes after right wing groups announced their own events nearby.
Christian and human rights organisations have sounded alarm over alleged attempts by Hindu far-right groups to disrupt Christmas celebrations in India, amid a series of attacks targeting members of the minority community.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of India said it “unequivocally condemned” what it described as an “alarming” rise in targeted attacks on Christians across the majority Hindu country. The organisation said it had recorded several incidents involving the harassment of carol singers, congregations and church gatherings.
The Bombay Catholic Sabha similarly condemned the brutal intimidation of Christians and called for protective measures. Human rights organisations also accused Hindu vigilantes of vandalising churches, ransacking Christmas decorations and threatening people celebrating Christmas at multiple places.
Christian watchdog ‘Open Doors’ said it had recorded over 60 alleged attacks targeting Christians across India during the Christmas period. Another video from the eastern state of Odisha purportedly showed a group of Hindu men harassing roadside vendors selling Santa caps. They objected to “Christian items” being sold in a “Hindu” country. “Being Hindus, how can you do this?” one of them was heard admonishing the vendors. “Wrap up quickly and go away from here. If you have to sell anything, sell Lord Jagannath’s merchandise.”
In the national capital Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar area, a group of men allegedly linked to the Hindu vigilante group Bajrang Dal was seen in a video harassing women wearing Santa caps. They accused the women of roaming the streets with the intention of converting people to Christianity.
Open Doors said “these troubling incidents have reinforced the uncertainty and fears of many Christians as they seek to celebrate the peaceful Christmas season”. The organisation noted that the incidents included far-right Hindu groups disrupting a Christmas celebration in Haryana, claiming it was being used to lure people to convert to Christianity.
The United Christian Forum said it had recorded over 600 incidents of alleged attacks against Christians across India this year, including mob assaults, demolition of houses and disruption of prayers. Christians account for around 2.3 percent of India’s population of 1.4 billion, making Christianity the third-largest religion after Hinduism and Islam.
Christian groups have repeatedly complained of attacks and harassment by Hindu vigilante groups aligned with the BJP.
