KMC pays salaries to Christian employees in advance for Christmas celebrations

The salaries and pensions of the Christian employees of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) have been paid in advance to enable them to celebrate their major religious festival, Christmas, with enthusiasm and devotion.

Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab said this during a meeting with minority members of the KMC City Council on Monday. He emphasised that all the citizens of Karachi were equal.

He said Christmas was a festival of joy and he would join the Christian community in their Christmas celebrations and visit key Christian places of worship in Karachi, including the Holy Trinity Church, St Anthony’s Church, and St Patrick's Church, to participate in the festivities alongside cardinal and bishops.

The mayor assured the City Council members that proper sanitation and other municipal services would be provided around these places of worship to ensure smooth and joyous celebrations.

He also commended the Christian community for their remarkable contributions to Pakistan’s progress and stability. Wahab highlighted that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in line with its manifesto remained committed to providing religious freedom and rights to minorities. He added that the Christian community had always worked alongside others for the progress and stability of Pakistan.

Christmas, one of the world’s major festivals, held special significance in Karachi, a city home to people of diverse religions, including Hindus, Christians, and Parsis, the mayor remarked. The mayor noted that Islam taught respect for other religions and called for providing opportunities for all to practice their religious rituals according to their beliefs.

Wahab reaffirmed that it was the responsibility of the municipal institutions to deliver services without discrimination based on race, religion, or ethnicity. He assured that all possible measures were being taken to fulfil this duty.