Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir joined the Christian community at the Christ Church, Rawalpindi in Christmas celebrations on Monday, the Inter-Services Public Relations said.

In a statement, the army’s media wing said that the congregation welcomed the COAS and thanked him for sharing the festivity. COAS Munir wished Merry Christmas to the entire Christian community in Pakistan.

He expressed reverence for the religious community and stressed the need for promoting greater interfaith harmony in society to follow Quaid’s true vision of a united and progressive Pakistan.

“Islam teaches us the lesson of peace, and friendship and encourages interfaith harmony which is the need of the hour,” the COAS said.

The army chief stressed the importance of having “correct perspective, truth and knowledge based opinions about national issues rather than following rhetoric and propaganda,” to address complex challenges and issues.

“Enemies of Pakistan are hell-bent towards creating fissures using religious, ethnic and political vulnerabilities. We have to stand together & united to rise as a resolute and strong nation,” COAS Munir said.

The COAS while paying tribute to Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision and leadership on his 148th birthday quoted the founder of Pakistan’s historical remarks made in his speech on August 11, 1947 while addressing the Constituent Assembly, “You are free. You are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan.”

The COAS acknowledged the contributions and sacrifices made by the entire Christian community of Pakistan in all the fields and domains.