ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday joined the Christian community at Christ Church in Rawalpindi to take part in Christmas celebrations. The COAS wished Merry Christmas to entire Christian community in Pakistan. He acknowledged the role of Christian brethren not only towards creation of Pakistan but also for their contribution towards its progress, according to a statement issued by the ISPR. The COAS appreciated role of various institutions in the fields of education, health and public welfare being managed by the Christian community across Pakistan. He especially acknowledged their contributions for defence of motherland as part of Pakistan’s armed forces. The congregation welcomed the COAS and thanked him for sharing the festivity. Earlier in a tweet, Major General Asif Ghafoor shared COAS’ message on the birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. “Pakistan’s Armed Forces pay tribute to Father of the Nation on his 141st birthday. His vision of human values, social justice and equality constituted motivation for creation of Pakistan. Following the same, we can keep Pakistan safe and strong: COAS.” The birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam was celebrated across the country with traditional zeal and enthusiasm on Monday. The ISPR prepared a special video to mark the anniversary. The footage begins with commemorating the ideology of the poet of the nation Allama Iqbal and goes on to depict the struggle culminating in the creation of Pakistan. Published in Daily Times, December 26th 2017.