COAS visits church for Christmas celebrations

RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday joined the Christian community at the Christ Church, Rawalpindi, to take part in the Christmas festivities. The congregation welcomed the COAS and thanked him for sharing the festivity, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. The COAS wished merry Christmas to the entire Christian community in Pakistan. He acknowledged the role of the Christian brethren not only towards the creation of Pakistan but also for their contributions towards its progress.

He appreciated the role of various institutions in the fields of education, health and public welfare being managed by the Christian community. He especially acknowledged their contributions in defence of the motherland as part of Pakistan armed forces. Commander Rawalpindi Corps was also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Pakistan armed forces paid rich tributes to the Father of the Nation, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on his 141st birth anniversary, an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) tweet said.

“His vision of human values, social justice, equality and fraternity constituted the motivation for creation of Pakistan,” ISPR Director General Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted, quoting Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa as saying. “Following the same, we can keep Pakistan safe and strong,” the army chief said.

Earlier, the ISPR paid homage to the Father of the Nation by releasing a patriotic song. The song is in the voice of Sahir Ali Bagga, while its lyrics have been composed by Ahmad Rafique Akhtar.

The footage begins with commemorating the ideology of Pakistan’s national poet, Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal and highlights the struggle and hardships of the nation to achieve a separate homeland. It also shows the strength and stature of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for acquiring freedom.

The video song also features photos of Pakistan’s heroes, including computer prodigy Arfa Karim, who died at a very young age, Tahira Qazi, the martyred principal of the Army Public School, Peshawar, renowned late philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi, legendary cricketer Javed Miandad, erstwhile squash great Jahangir Khan and late Moin Akhtar, who served the entertainment industry of the country for several years.