Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain says the Christian community has an important role in progress and prosperity of Pakistan.

Addressing a Christmas ceremony, organized by the Associated Press of Pakistan in Islamabad, he said the minorities' role in Pakistan will continue to be acknowledged in days to come.

The Minister said Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in his address to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on August 11, 1947, had declared that the rights of minorities will be fully protected in the state of Pakistan.

Chaudhry Fawad Hussain also cut Christmas cake in the ceremony and felicitated the Christian community on Christmas.

Information Secretary Shahera Shahid was also present on the occasion.