Gilani urges people to promote interfaith dialogue       
ISLAMABAD, Dec 24 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani urged people to keep on making efforts for promotion of interfaith dialogue and harmony among different religions to make Pakistan a land of peace and tranquility.In a message on the occasion of Christmas, the Prime Minister said, “today the Christian community is celebrating the religious festival of Christmas throughout the world.“On this auspicious occasion,I congratulate the entire Christian community both from Pakistan and abroad on my own and my countrymen’s behalf,” he said adding this festival highlights those sacrifices, teachings and character of Jesus Christ which  brought the misguided humanity back on track and serving the downtrodden and underprivileged people.
Jesus Christ accepted crucifixion for the sake of his mission but did not submit himself to the evil forces, he said adding this supreme sacrifice of Jesus Christ is a beacon of light and guidance and continues to inspire his followers since last two thousand years.
“Jesus Christ was the blessed Prophet of Allah. Every Muslim believes in the Prophethood of Jesus Christ and Bible being a divine book revealed to him.
This common characteristic binds the Muslim and Christian communities in the spirit of brotherhood.”
Christian community is the largest minority of Pakistan and it is a matter of immense satisfaction and happiness that our Christian community is contributing to the national development side by side with their other countrymen in every walk of life including education, health, defence, politics and social welfare, Gilani added.
The Prime Minister said they enjoy complete religious freedom and all civic facilities in Pakistan. Pakistan People’s Party established a relationship of mutual trust and unity with the minorities and gave them their due place since the day one.
“Upon being voted into power, Shaheed Zulifkar Ali Bhutto established the ministry of minorities’ affairs at the federal level for the protection of their rights and solution of their problems, which is a reflection of Shaheed Bhutto’s farsightedness and political wisdom,” he said adding “Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto also made all out efforts for the welfare of minorities during her two stints in power. The government is now taking this legacy forward.”
He mentioned that the federal government had increased the budget of ministry of minorities’ affairs for progress and welfare of the minorities and decided to give representation to the minorities in the Senate.
“We also increased the quota of minorities in the federal jobs by 5 per cent and gave countless scholarships to the youth. A fund of Rs. 32 million has been established for the support of the deprived among the minorities. Technical centres are also being established to impart technical education to the youth of minorities.”
The Prime Minister said he had taken the initiative of establishing inter-faith committees throughout the country to promote harmony and understanding among followers of different faiths.
“A plan for the establishment of multi-faith complex in Islamabad has been prepared to project harmony, tolerance and dialogue among different religions.Likewise, our government has declared the 11th of August as the Day of Minorities.”
He said he hoped that all minorities living in Pakistan especially the Christian community would continue to play their role in the national developmentwith utmost dedication and commitment.
“We must pledge on this sacred festival of Christmas that we would keep on making efforts for promotion of interfaith dialogue and harmony among different religions to make Pakistan a land of peace and tranquility for all its citizens without any discrimination of colour, creed, race and religion.”