Christian community celebrates Christmas.

ISLAMABAD -- Christians throughout the country and world are celebrating Christmas, an event of peace and happiness .

Special services are being held at churches across the world to celebrate the festival.

The celebrations began with the special midnight services at Christmas eve while the Christmas day services started on Wednesday morning led by the bishops and the hierarchy of the Christian clergy at their respective churches.

The Christian community has illuminated homes and churches while shopping for the occasion is underway at special Christmas Bazars. Almost all churches have been decorated with colorful lights and Christmas trees.

Felicitating the Christian community in Pakistan and across the world on Christmas, President Arif Alvi extended his heartiest greetings to all our Christian brethren on the occasion of Christmas.

He said much more than festivity and celebration, the spirit of Christmas is to share, to reach out, and to love all humanity. Jesus Christ brought and preached the message of peace, brotherhood and love for the whole humanity. He guided people towards virtuous living and urged them to seek divine mercy. As a Divine Messenger, Jesus Christ is venerable to adherents of all religions.

The President said that the efforts of our Christian Community for the socio-economic development of the motherland are commendable. I also take this opportunity to pay the highest tribute to the sacrifices made by our Christian brethren in Pakistan's fight against terrorism.

Arif Avli said: 'The government holds sacrosanct the equality and freedom of conscience of all citizens irrespective of belief, creed or religion, adding that our commitment to this fundamental principle is firmly grounded in the teachings of Islam, the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the inviolable guarantees of our Constitution. We are committed to building a society that respects difference and finds strength in diversity; a nation that is tolerant and cohesive; and a state that provides equal rights and opportunities to all citizens. We are proud of our Christian brethren; and together we are building a strong and prosperous Pakistan for our children.'

On the other hand, in his message Prime Minister Imran Khan also extended his heartiest felicitations and wish Merry Christmas to the Christian brethren in Pakistan and all over the world.

He said that Christmas is an auspicious occasion to reflect on the message of Jesus...