Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir has joined the Christian community in their Christmas celebrations at Rawalpindi’s Christ Church where he also took part in the cake-cutting ceremony, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The Christian leaders warmly welcomed the Army Chief and also thanked him for sharing their celebrations.

General Asim Munir wished Merry Christmas to the entire Christian community of Pakistan, expressing reverence for the community and stressed upon the need for promoting greater interfaith harmony in society in order to follow the Quaid's true vision of a united and progressive Pakistan. 

The COAS maintained “Islam teaches us the lesson of peace, friendship and encourages interfaith harmony, which is the need of the hour.”

The Army Chief also stressed the importance of having the correct perspective, truth, and knowledge-based opinions about national issues rather than following rhetoric and propaganda to address complex challenges and issues. “The enemies of Pakistan are hell-bent on creating fissures using religious, ethnic and political vulnerabilities. We have to stand together and united to rise as a resolute and strong nation,” he added.

Paying rich tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s great vision and leadership on his 147th birth anniversary, General Munir cited Quaid’s historical remarks made in his speech on August 11, 1947, while addressing the Constituent Assembly, as “You are free. You are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan.”

The COAS acknowledged the contributions and sacrifices made by the entire Christian community of Pakistan in all fields. 

 

Reporter Ahmad Mansoor