COAS emphasizes unity and harmony at Christmas celebrations

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir underscored the significance of interfaith harmony, stating that Pakistan’s adversaries aim to exploit religious, ethnic, and political divisions to create discord.

General Munir shared these sentiments during his visit to Christ Church Rawalpindi, where he participated in Christmas celebrations alongside the Christian community.

The church administration warmly welcomed the Army Chief, expressing gratitude for his presence during the festive occasion.

COAS extended Christmas greetings to the Christian community residing in Pakistan and emphasized his respect for religious diversity.

He highlighted the imperative to foster interfaith harmony in society, aligning with the true vision of a united and progressive Pakistan.

Christian community celebrates Christmas with religious fervour

“Islam teaches us the lesson of peace, friendship, and encourages interfaith harmony, which is the need of the hour,” asserted the Army Chief.

Stressing the importance of cultivating informed perspectives on national issues, he urged for truth-based opinions over rhetoric and propaganda to effectively address challenges.

“Pakistan’s enemies are bent on using religious, ethnic, and political weaknesses to create rifts,” General Munir cautioned, emphasizing the need for national unity to thwart external threats. He urged the nation to unite, emerging as a determined and resilient force against divisive agendas.

Paying tribute to the visionary leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on his 147th birth anniversary, the Army Chief recalled the historic words spoken by the founder of Pakistan. He quoted Jinnah’s address to the Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947: “You are free. You are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or any other place of worship in this state of Pakistan.”

In closing, General Munir acknowledged the valuable services and sacrifices made by the entire Christian community in Pakistan across various fields and domains. The Army Chief’s presence at the Christmas celebration signifies a commitment to fostering unity, religious tolerance, and national cohesion in the diverse fabric of Pakistan.