LONDON, Dec 17 (APP):Pakistan High Commissioner (HC) to United Kingdom (UK) Mohammad Nafees Zakaria has said Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a great proponent of peace, human rights and interfaith harmony.
He was addressing an annual dinner hosted by the Pakistan High Commission here to celebrate the forthcoming birth anniversary of Prophet Hazrat Isa (AS) and also commemorate the birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah with the Pakistani diaspora, including Christian community, on Monday night.
Rt Revd Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, Bishop of London, Most Revd Humphery Sarfraz Peters, President Bishop of Church of Pakistan and Bishop of Peshawar, Lord Tariq of Wimbledon Minister for Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Rana Yaqub and Arif Anis also sopke on the occasion.
A large number of bishops, members of parliament, diplomats and journalists also attended the ceremony.
Nafees Zakaria said the Christmas day coincided with the birthday of Quaid-e-Azam.
The Christmas, he said, was a day of reverence, joy and celebration for the followers of Hazrat Esa (AS) the world over. It was a significant day for the people to learn taking care of one another, demonstrate compassion for the less privileged ones, and to show sentiments of love not for just near and dear ones but also for those in need of love and care.
He said both the Christians and Muslims complemented each other in their beliefs and perspectives on the life and the life hereafter.
The high commissioner also highlighted the Quaid-e-Azam’s vision of the new homeland Pakistan, which was based on human rights and freedom of religious practices. The Quaid was a great proponent of peace and interfaith harmony, he added.
He cited that the Quaid in his speech to the fist Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on August 11, 1947 had said: “You are free,you are free to go to your temples, free to go to your mosques, or to any other place of worship in the state of Pakistan.
You may belong to any religion or cast or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state”.
Nafees Zakaria also highlighted the significant contribution of Christian community in the pre and post independence of Pakistan.
He also congratulated the Conservative Party’s leadership on their election victory. He said Pakistan and the United Kingdom enjoyed cordial relations based on shared historical experiences and cultural linkages.
The 1.5 million British-Pakistani diaspora in the UK acted as a fulcrum to this strong relationship, he added.
“Our economic potential, which finds a lot to be desired was poised to be explored as new socio-political realities unfold in the UK,” he remarked.
He informed the gathering about Pakistan’s economic indicators, which were pointing towards marked improvement in its overall business and investment environment.
Speaking on the occasion, Tariq Ahmed Wimbledon said Pakistan and the United Kingdom enjoy a cordial relationship, which, he hoped, would be further strengthened in the days to come.
He also appreciated the contribution of British-Pakistani diaspora for the socio-economic development of the UK.
The speakers also highlighted the significance of the birth of Prophet Esa (AS) for the salvation of mankind.
They also paid tribute to the Quaid-e-Azam for his untiring efforts and struggle for the creation of an independent homeland.
Renowned opera singer Saira Peter on the occasion sang Carols and national songs, which were applauded by the audience.