RAWALPINDI: Following six weeks of Lent, Easter is supposed to be a celebration for Christians the world over. But not for Jibran Masih, who cannot afford to celebrate this day because he was not allowed his salary in advance.

Masih, 35, is employed at the Rawalpindi Solid Waste Management Company. He applied for an advance on his salary but his request was turned down.

Masih then contacted friends in order to borrow money, and collected about Rs8,000 – just enough to cover an Easter lunch for his family, taxi fares to Church and an evening out to celebrate the holiday.

After using his salary on household items, Jibran could not afford to buy his children new clothes for the holiday.

“I want to see my children wearing new clothes, but this wish was not fulfilled. I have promised them new clothes on Christmas.”

Jibran is one of 3,000 Christian employees of CDGR, and the cantonment boards who have not received bonuses.

They receive additional salary only on Christmas. Conversely, Muslim government employees are given two Eid allowances, on Eidul Azha and Eidul Fitr.

A senior CDGR official told Dawn that the government only gives one bonus to Christian employees. But they may receive an advance salary for Easter if it falls after April 20.

“This is government policy and it can be changed if the Punjab government issues a notification in this regard.”

He said the government has announced additional salaries for Christian employees at Easter in the past, but this policy has been inconsistent.

District Coordination Officer (DCO) Sajid Zafar Dall was not available for comment, despite repeated attempts to contact him.

Shamoon Gill of the All Pakistan Minority Alliance said the government should ensure that its employees receive benefits they are entitled to.

“The salaries of sanitary workers are already quite low and it will be difficult for them to celebrate their festival if the government does not give them bonuses,” he said.

Meanwhile, several churches organised midnight services on Saturday, followed by morning services on Easter Day. In their sermons, many clerics stressed the need for religious tolerance, fraternity and brotherhood.