Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Sunday extended heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the Christian community on the occasion of Easter.
In her message, the CM said that the government and people of Punjab equally share in their joys and celebrations. She described the Christian community as peaceful and highly respected citizens of Pakistan. She acknowledged the valuable contributions of the Christian community to the creation and development of the country, adding that their patriotism and commitment were beyond doubt.
The chief minister also recalled the vision of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who advocated equality for all citizens irrespective of religion or ethnicity, and urged the promotion of love, harmony and unity on the festive occasion.
Highlighting government initiatives, Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that grants for minority communities had been increased and development funds allocated for their welfare. She added that a Minority Card had been introduced for the first time to provide quarterly financial assistance, under which over 100,000 deserving minority families were receiving Rs 10,500 every three months.
The CM said that inclusive development and the well-being of all communities remained a top priority across the province.
Separately, Maryam Nawaz on Sunday said that the survival of humanity depended on keeping the conscience of people alive, urging nations to uphold values of peace, tolerance and justice.
In her message on the International Day of Conscience, she said that lasting peace and an end to wars were only possible if nations listened to the voice of their conscience, adding that love, compassion and tolerance were essential for global harmony.
The CM noted that the observance of the day by the United Nations promoted reflection and reinforced adherence to fundamental freedoms and human rights.
Highlighting the 2026 theme, “Conscious Decisions for a Better Future,” the chief minister emphasized the need for responsible and thoughtful choices to ensure collective welfare. She said that compassion must remain central to human conscience.
Referring to global issues, she said the long-standing dispute of Jammu and Kashmir had been knocking on the conscience of the world for decades, while the suffering of people in Gaza Strip was a moment of reflection for the international community. She added that preserving conscience alongside human needs was essential to true humanity.