Christian community in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and other cities and villages across Pakistan celebrated Easter on Sunday with religious devotion and joy, marking the resurrection – a victory over death and the good news of eternal life, and spreading a message of hope and new beginnings.
Easter is observed on different dates every year, as it follows a system based on the moon. According to the decision of the First Council of Nicaea, Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following March 21. This year, the full moon appeared on April 2, making April 5 the day of Easter. This festival is also called by many as the sacred message, reflecting the belief in resurrection and new life.
In a message, President Asif Ali Zardari extended greetings to the Christian citizens in Pakistan and to Christian communities around the world. “This day carries a clear message of compassion, hope, renewal, rebirth, rejuvenation, redemption, and the triumph of life over death and good over evil,” he said. “In Pakistan, these values are not abstract, but reflected in everyday life. Christian men and women serve in our schools, hospitals, public services and armed forces. Families mark this day through prayer and gathering, often alongside neighbors of different faiths.”
The president said that the Christians’ contribution was part of the normal functioning of the society, and it deserves recognition and respect. “Christians in Pakistan are regarded and respected for their contribution to the motherland,” he said, and commended the Christian community for its continued role in national development, particularly in education, healthcare, national defence and social services. He reaffirmed the state’s responsibility to ensure that all communities across Pakistan enjoy these rights in full.
“The government remains committed to protecting the life, property, honour and security of minority communities, and to supporting their welfare,” he said. “On this occasion, I encourage all citizens to act with restraint, respect and a sense of responsibility towards one another. A stable and strong society depends on how we treat each other in daily life, in our workplaces, in our neighborhoods and in our institutions. I wish you all a blessed and joyous Easter.”
The festival comes after Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday. Palm Sunday marks the arrival of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, while Maundy Thursday recalls the Last Supper. Good Friday, observed on April 3, is a day of sorrow, remembering the crucifixion. The followers called the Easter Sunday as a day of happiness, as it represents the resurrection of Jesus Christ and gives believers hope, courage and faith for a better future.
In a message, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif felicitated Christians around the world and especially the Christian community of Pakistan, on behalf of the people and the government of Pakistan, on the joyous and auspicious occasion of Easter. “I also extend my best wishes of traditional festivities of Easter to all citizens. May this blessed day usher an era of peace, stability, and prosperity for the Christian community, our country, and for the entire world,” he said.
“In today’s tenacious global environment, message of peace ebbed in all religions has become ever more significant. Easter, like all religious occasions, carries a universal message of love and renewed hope for all humanity. It embodies the values of sacrifice and forgiveness, as well as peace, tolerance, brotherhood, and goodwill, promoting social cohesion and interfaith harmony,” he said. “Christian community is rendering commendable and admirable services across all professional fields and continues to play invaluable role in the economic and social development,” he said.
“The commitment to ensure equal opportunities and the protection of citizens’ rights, is rooted in Islamic teachings, the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and is guaranteed by the Constitution,” he said, adding religious harmony and the richness of a multicultural society reflect diversity as a nation. “Let us renew our pledge that with national unity, dedication and sincerity, we as nation would continue to tirelessly work towards the progress and prosperity of our beloved country. With best wishes, I extend warmest Easter greetings to you all! Happy Easter!,” he added.
Talking to the media at the Eternal Life Church, in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat area, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar extended heartfelt Easter greetings to the Christian community, acknowledging their significant contributions to national development, education, and defense. He emphasized the need for unity among churches and urged the Christian community to form a joint committee representing various denominations, assuring that he would arrange a meeting with relevant federal authorities in Islamabad within the same week.
He said he proudly represents thousands of Christians and considers it his responsibility to stand by the community in moments of joy and sorrow. Highlighting the services of prominent Christian figures, he paid tribute to national hero Cecil Chaudhry, terming him among the finest pilots in the world. The Christian community had rendered invaluable sacrifices alongside Muslims in the war against terrorism, he said, adding that their blood and contributions were an integral part of Pakistan’s security and resilience.
He called upon the Christian community, along with all segments of the society, to pray for the country’s peace, prosperity, and progress, emphasizing that just as other communities had contributed to Pakistan’s development, the role of the Christian community remained equally vital and commendable. Earlier, the minister participated in the Easter celebrations, where he cut a cake alongside prominent Christian leaders, including Pastor Anwar Fazal, Pastor Shaukat Fazal, as a gesture of solidarity with the community.
In his message, Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani extended heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the Christian community in Pakistan and around the world on the joyous occasion of Easter. He stated that Easter was a profound symbol of hope, renewal, and spiritual reflection for the Christian community. He said that the occasion was marked by special prayers and religious gatherings, which not only strengthen faith but also promote the universal values of love, tolerance, and brotherhood.
He urged the Christian community to offer special prayers for the peace, stability, and prosperity of Pakistan. He emphasized that such occasions serve as an opportunity to foster interfaith harmony and to spread the message of unity, compassion, and coexistence in society. He reaffirmed that minorities enjoy full religious freedom and were free to practice their faith and perform their religious rituals without any hindrance. He stated that the Pakistan People’s Party has always played a pivotal role in advocating for the rights of minorities and ensuring that their voices are effectively represented.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq extended heartfelt greetings to the members of parliament belonging to the Christian community, as well as to the entire Christian community in Pakistan on the joyous occasion of Easter. He emphasized that religious festivals serve as an important means to promote interfaith harmony, mutual respect, and brotherhood. Easter teaches the values of sacrifice, forgiveness and service to humanity, he said, adding that all religions advocate peace, tolerance and coexistence.
He underlined that the protection of minority rights in Pakistan was both a constitutional and national responsibility. He reaffirmed that the parliament remains committed to ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all citizens. Referring to the vision of Quaid-e-Azam, he said that minorities enjoy complete religious freedom and are an integral part of the nation. He called upon everyone to collectively strive for building a peaceful, prosperous and inclusive society. He prayed for peace, stability and prosperity in Pakistan and across the world.
In her message, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz extended heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the Christian community on the occasion of Easter. She said that the government and people of Punjab equally share in their joys and celebrations. She described the Christians as peaceful and highly respected citizens, and acknowledged the valuable contributions of the community to the creation and development of the country. She said that their patriotism and commitment were beyond doubt.
She recalled the vision of Quaid-e-Azam 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, she said that grants for minority communities had been increased and development funds allocated for their welfare. She said 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.
In his message, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti extended warm Easter greetings to the Christian community, emphasizing the values of peace, love, and humanity that the festival represents. He reaffirmed that his government was committed to promoting interfaith harmony and social cohesion through effective measures. He stressed protecting rights of minorities remained a top priority, with equal opportunities and complete religious freedom guaranteed to all communities in the province.
He highlighted several initiatives for minority welfare, including establishment of Balochistan’s first Minority Endowment Fund. “A special quota for minorities under the Benazir Bhutto Scholarship Program, covering education from matriculation to PhD level,” he said, adding development projects aimed at improving the welfare and empowerment of minority communities. He praised the Christian community for its valuable contributions, and said that all resources were being utilized to build a peaceful, harmonious and prosperous Balochistan.
In all cities and villages, special prayers were held in churches, where people gathered in large numbers. The families met each other, exchanged greetings and shared meals, showing unity and love. Across the world, Easter is celebrated in different ways, including decorating eggs, exchanging gifts and holding special gatherings, but the message of peace, renewal and kindness remains the same. All the leaders urged people to promote harmony, patience and respect, saying that the true spirit of Easter lies in spreading love and hope in the society.
Pope offers Easter greetings in 10 languages
In a special message to the thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City, Pope Leo urged global leaders to end conflicts and abandon any schemes for power, conquest or domination. “Today all of creation is resplendent with new light, a song of praise rises from the earth, and our hearts rejoice. Easter opens us up to a hope that never fails, to a light that never fades, to a fullness of joy that nothing can take away: death has been conquered forever; death no longer has power over us,” he said.
“Let those who have weapons lay them down! Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace!” The pope said that the story of Easter, when the Bible says Jesus rose from the dead three days after not resisting his execution by crucifixion, shows that Christ was entirely nonviolent. “On this day of celebration, let us abandon every desire for conflict, domination, and power, and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars,” he urged.
In a sermon for the Easter vigil on Saturday night, he urged people not to feel numbed by the scope of the conflicts raging across the world but to work for peace. In his address from the balcony of Basilica to the Square below, decorated with thousands of brightly coloured flowers for the holiday, he offered brief Easter greetings in 10 languages, including Arabic, Latin, and Chinese. He announced he would return to the Basilica on April 11 to host a prayer vigil for peace.
