Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz attended a Christmas ceremony at Cathedral Church as a special guest, extending greetings to the Christian community and pledging unwavering support for minorities across the province.
Maryam congratulated the Christian community on Christmas and described the festival as a shared joy for all Pakistanis. She said Punjab celebrates all religious festivals, including Christmas, Easter, Holi, and Baisakhi, reflecting the province’s inclusive culture.
Minority-friendly Pakistan a dream
Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said a minority-friendly Pakistan is a dream, which has to be fulfilled. She stressed that being in the majority places a greater responsibility on Muslims to ensure minorities enjoy the same rights and respect.
She emphasized that every citizen has an equal right over Pakistan, regardless of religion.
Maryam said the services of the Christian community for Pakistan’s development should be written in golden letters. She noted that the minority community has played a key role in every field, including national development and public service.
She also highlighted that a large number of martyrs belong to the Christian community, calling their sacrifices unforgettable.
Minority cards and Christmas grants
During the ceremony, the Punjab chief minister distributed minority cards and Christmas grant cheques among community members. She announced that minority cards would be extended up to 100,000 beneficiaries.
She said no one would ever be asked about their religion in any government project under her leadership.
Maryam said she makes decisions based on humanity and justice, adding that she learned love and respect for minorities from her father. Declaring all Punjabis “a part of her heart,” she said her parents have always cared deeply about minority rights.
She described minorities as the “crown of the head” and reaffirmed that Punjab belongs equally to all its citizens.
Protection, safety of minorities in Punjab
The chief minister said Punjab is a very safe place for minorities and vowed not to allow anyone to target them. “As long as I am chief minister, if injustice is done to minorities, I will stand like a lead wall,” she said.
She added that no one can fight with the state, and law would take its course against those harming minorities.
Sikh community helmet exemption decision
The CM also shared an example of minority-sensitive governance, saying she did not want Sikh children to travel without helmets and get injured. She explained that the Sikh community had conveyed they could not remove their turbans.
Following this, she directed the traffic department to grant an exemption from helmets for Sikhs, calling it a humane and practical decision.
Highlighting symbolic inclusion, the CM said Pakistan’s biggest Christmas tree was installed at Liberty in Lahore. She described it as a message of harmony and celebration for the entire country.
She reiterated that Pakistan should move forward in the name of its minority friends and that this dream must be fulfilled collectively.
Message of peace, brotherhood
Punjab Minister Ramesh Singh Arora said Pakistan’s message to the world is one of peace, love, and brotherhood. He noted that celebrations this year reflected unity and respect among communities.
Maryam Nawaz again wished the Christian community a happy Christmas and said such celebrations strengthen national harmony.
The chief minister remarked that neither Sikhs nor Muslims are safe in India, contrasting it with Punjab’s inclusive environment. She reiterated that her government never asks citizens about their religion.
Concluding her address, she said Punjab will continue to be a province where minorities live with dignity, safety, and equal rights.
