The National Press Club marked the season with a lively Christmas Family Gala organized in partnership with Medic Galleria International and the Zakat Foundation of America, bringing together Christian members and their families for an evening of celebration in Islamabad. The event featured gift distribution for children, a ceremonial cutting of the Christmas cake and a lavish dinner for attendees, reflecting the spirit of the Christmas Family Gala.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar attended as the chief guest and extended warm greetings to the Christian community, noting their significant contributions to Pakistan’s social and defence sectors and promising a major government programme in support of the community soon. Mansoor Shafiq, CEO of Medic Galleria International, praised the participation of Christian professionals across key roles in the country and reaffirmed his organisation’s commitment to partner with the National Press Club on future events.
Dr. Fazl ur Rehman, the Zakat Foundation of America’s representative in Pakistan, highlighted the importance of interfaith harmony and recalled his organisation’s swift relief work after the Jaranwala incident. He said peace-loving people embrace followers of other faiths and expressed readiness to collaborate with the National Press Club whenever needed.
Speakers including Afzal Butt of PFUJ, NPC president Azhar Jatoi, RIUJ president Tariq Ali Work, and MPA and provincial coordinator Shazia Rizwan Afsar thanked organisers and emphasized that the Christian community are valued brothers and sisters whose role in education, health and public service is indispensable. Senior officials and guests such as Syed Zeeshan Ali Naqvi, Javad Tariq (DIG Operations), Mubashir Hassan (Principal Information Officer), Asim Kachi (MD APP), Naveed Anwar (Chicago Chamber), and Sardar Tahir Mehmood (Islamabad Chamber) also addressed the gathering.
Event arrangements were coordinated by Neelum Arshad and NPC Secretary Nayyer Ali, and a large turnout of Christian members, families and members of the NPC governing body made the evening memorable. The Christmas Family Gala underlined the National Press Club’s ongoing tradition of celebrating the festivals of its members and promoting interfaith goodwill in the capital.
