ISLAMABAD: The Christmas Peace Train, which departs from Islamabad, has been launched on Thursday as part of Christmas celebrations.
Human Rights Minister Kamran Michael, and Railway Minister Saad Rafique jointly inaugurated the Peace Train at Margala Railway station.
Besides diplomats, officials of the Railway and Human Rights ministries were also present on the occasion. Addressing the inaugural ceremony, both ministers expressed their happiness, noting that this initiative had been taken for the first time in the subcontinent. They said that it was a continuation of the government’s aim to acknowledge of the Christian community’s efforts for Pakistan.
This endeavour will be fruitful in minimising the divide between the Muslims and Christians, they said. The ministers added that the Christian community had served this country with devotion and passion and their struggle will always be acknowledged. The Peace Train would be a source of interfaith harmony and would reflect the strong Muslim-Christian bonds.
Minister Kamran Michael said that present day Pakistan had become the Pakistan of their dreams with no differences of religion, cast, colours, or creed. He added that the train was a symbol of peace, love, equality and harmony. He said it would spread this message and raise awareness about tolerance and interfaith harmony everywhere it went.
Railway Minister Saad Rafique said that minorities have been playing a pivotal role in the progress, development and prosperity of Pakistan. The constitution guarantees equal rights to all citizens living in this country, he said. “We need to hold the hands of each other to touch prosperity and success,” he said while urging Christians and Muslims to work collectivity for the country by forgetting all differences.
Decorated with three galleries and two floats, the Christmas Peace train will reach Peshawar by Thursday evening. It is scheduled to reach Karachi on December 31 travelling through different cities like Jhelum, Lahore, Sahiwal, Rohri, Tando Adam and Hyderabad.
