National Press Club in Islamabad, together with Medica Galleria International and the Zakat Foundation of America, hosted a Christmas Gala to celebrate with its Christian members and their families. The event combined festive celebration with a clear message of interfaith harmony and community support.
The federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar attended as the chief guest and extended warm Christmas greetings to the Christian community. He highlighted the important role Christians have played in building and serving Pakistan, noted their contributions in education and health, and praised the services of Christian personnel in the Pakistan Air Force. He also affirmed that the state will soon organise major programmes for the Christian community at the official level.
Event organisers and speakers included Mansoor Shafiq, CEO of Medica Galleria International, and Dr Fazl ur Rehman, Pakistan representative of the Zakat Foundation of America. They spoke of continued collaboration with the National Press Club and underlined the role such events play in strengthening social cohesion. Dr Fazl ur Rehman recalled the foundation’s rapid relief response in Jaranwala and offered ongoing support for joint relief and community projects.
Local leaders and media figures present included MPA and Coordinator to the Chief Minister Punjab Shazia Rizwan Asfar, focal person for the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and former deputy mayor Syed Zeeshan Ali Naqvi, DIG Operations Jawad Tariq, Principal Information Officer Mubashir Hasan, MD APP Asim Kachi, Chicago Chamber of Commerce president Naveed Anwar, Islamabad Chamber president Sardar Tahir Mehmood, PFUJ president Afzal Butt, NPC president Azhar Jatoi, NPC secretary Naeer Ali, RIUJ president Tariq Ali Work, and other senior members of the National Press Club governing body. Speakers praised the NPC for organising the gala and affirmed that Christian colleagues are valued members of the media community.
The evening included distribution of Christmas gifts to children and families, a ceremonial cutting of the Christmas cake, and a lavish dinner for attendees. The event was anchored by Nelem Arshad alongside NPC secretary Naeer Ali, who managed the programme’s proceedings. Christian Journalists Association leaders Nasser Saleem and Aqeel Anjum thanked the hosts for the special arrangement for Christian journalists and their families.
Speakers emphasised that the Christmas Gala was more than a celebration: it reinforced interfaith understanding, showcased the media community’s inclusive spirit, and underlined a commitment to joint social and relief work. Organisers pledged to continue hosting similar events to strengthen bonds across communities and support vulnerable groups through collaborative initiatives.
