News Desk
Rome, January 3, 2025:
The Pakistan Embassy in Rome hosted a Christmas luncheon to celebrate the festive season and engage with members of the Pakistani Christian community in Italy. The event, organized by the Ambassador and officers from the Defence, Commerce, and Diplomatic wings, featured Emmanuel Athar, a Member of the Punjab Assembly, as the special guest.
During the celebration, the Ambassador highlighted the shared values and beliefs of Abrahamic faiths, emphasizing Pakistan’s long-standing commitment to interfaith harmony. He expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for granting an audience to Pakistan’s Interior Minister on June 3, 2024, where an official invitation from the President of Pakistan for a state visit was extended. Recalling the historic visit of Pope John Paul II to Karachi in 1981, the Ambassador reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to welcome the Pope in the near future.
The Ambassador underscored Pakistan’s rich history as a cradle of diverse faiths and civilizations. He emphasized the embassy’s ongoing efforts to maintain effective communication with the Pakistani diaspora, including the launch of a “WhatsApp Broadcast Initiative” in December 2022, which now connects 20,000 community members. As part of further outreach, the Ambassador announced plans to establish dedicated WhatsApp groups for Pakistani community members of Hindu and Christian faiths, providing a direct channel for engagement.
Commending the contributions of the Pakistani community to Italy’s development, the Ambassador praised their role in strengthening bilateral ties between Pakistan and Italy. He also acknowledged the achievements of Pakistani students in Italy, noting that approximately 3,500 students are excelling in advanced scientific fields across Italian universities.
The Ambassador reaffirmed Pakistan’s constitutional commitment to minority rights, highlighting the reserved 3% quota for minorities in national and provincial legislatures as a model for democratic inclusion.
The event concluded with a prayer led by Father Shahzad Anwar, a Pakistani priest currently pursuing studies in Canon Law at the Pontifical University in Vatican City.
This celebration marked another effort by the Pakistan Embassy in fostering community cohesion and promoting Pakistan’s image as a nation committed to interfaith harmony and diversity.