Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Fides Service ) – “I was educated at the Foreman Christian College and no one ever forced me to become a Christian. Today I am a good Muslim”, Pervaiz Chaudhry, chief minister of the north east province of Punjab told at the annual Christmas gathering of over 1000 Muslims and Christians at his Residence
Fides sources present at the meeting said the chief minister said Christians have played an important role in education and other sectors of social life. He announced education will be free for all children to 10th grade and that April 200 Rupees will be given to girls intending to study providing their attendance is complete for at least one month and that scholarships will be awarded in Punjab province for merit without any discrimination of religion for 2004. He distributed 2.5 million Rupees as a Christmas gift among widows and poor families. He have some with his own hand while his secretaries distributed the rest.
The Chief Minister urged Muslim scholars to be generous in promoting peace and tolerance and acceptance in society. The Catholic National Commission for Inter-religious Dialogue and Ecumenism is known for its activity to promote dialogue and addressing the Commission’s secretary Father Francis Nadeem, whom he had invited to the gathering Chief Minister assured his support for building harmony and peace in Pakistan e pace.
The atmosphere of harmony in Muslim-Christian relations was highlighted by other Christmas events: Pakistan television and Radio Pakistan gave more time for Christian inspired programmes than ever before. Many local Muslim leaders and ordinary citizens sent Christmas greetings to the church and bishops.
(PA) (Fides Service 9/1/2004 lines 29 words 292)
