PESHAWAR: Different events were held in various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including provincial metropolis and tribal districts on Wednesday to celebrate Christmas.

The Christian community organised events at more than 40 churches. The members of the community offered prayers and performed cake cutting ceremonies at the churches.

They offered special prayers for the national integration and unity of the country. Several rights activists also attended the Christmas events.

Under the auspicious of ministry of information and broadcasting, the Pakistan Peace Collective celebrated Christmas at All Saints Church in Peshawar. The theme of activity was from flames to flowers.

MPA Shagufta Malik, who was chief guest on the occasion, cut the Christmas cake along with Father Shehzad and officials of ministry of information.

“Pakistan has beautiful diversities and we all are one nation and will jointly work for the betterment of native land,” she said.

Meanwhile, eminent Urdu poets paid glowing tributes to founder of the nation Quaid-i- Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and also recited poems to celebrate Christmas at another event.

The event was organised by culture directorate in its hall. Around 25 Urdu poets from Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, Kohat, Charasadda, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Nowshera and Peshawar attended the event.

Noted writer Mushtaq Shabab chaired the function while MNA James Iqbal was chief guest on the occasion.

In North Waziristan tribal district, Christmas was celebrated with great zeal for the first time in the history of the area.

The cake cutting ceremony was organised at Christians Colony in Miramshah. MNA Mohsin Dawar was chief guest on the occasion.

In Kurram tribal district, Christian community celebrated Christmas with great fervour. Special prayers for national unity were offered on the occasion at churches and homes.

Naseem Yousaf Welfare Trust distributed Christmas gifts among the members of Christian community. Officials of police and army and tribal elders attended Christmas event in the area.

In Haripur, all the three main sects of Christian community celebrated Christmas with religious zeal amid tight security.

Prayers were offered on the occasion for prosperity of the country and peace. Special services were held at Saint John Church in Haripur, Church of Pakistan in Ghazi and Catholic and Evangelical churches in the district.

Additional District Police Officer Dr Zahidullah Jan also attended a Christmas event and cut the cake. He also presented bouquets to the priest and caretakers of Saint John Church in Haripur.

In Bajaur tribal district, a function was held in Khar to celebrate Christmas.

DPO Pir Shahab Ali Shah said on the occasion that members of minority groups were equal citizens of the country. He said that efforts were underway to provide basic amenities to them in the tribal district.

He said that minorities, especially the Christian community, always played great role in socio-economic development of the country.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2019