Written by: Haroon Shuaib
Posted on: January 10, 2025 | 
| 中文
Erica Robin, Miss Universe Pakistan
Contributions of Christians in judiciary, military, sports, performing arts, health and education sectors since the nascent years of Pakistan have been instrumental in enriching its institutional and social fabric. Karachi has a large Christian population and there are countless Christian villages in the Punjab heartland and cities of Lahore and Faisalabad. Sizeable populations of Christians also reside in the deeply conservative north-western province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in Peshawar and Quetta, the capital of Balochistan. According to 2023 census, Christians are the largest minority group in Pakistan after Hindus, with a population over 3 million.
In the early years of Pakistan, Alvin Robert Cornelius served as the Law Secretary under Jogendra Nath Mandal, Law Minister in the Liaquat Ali Khan cabinet. Cornelius went on to become the 4th Chief Justice of Pakistan. Serving in that role from 1960 until 1968, Chief Justice Alvin Robert Cornelius, is renowned for his legal acumen and dedication to justice. After his retirement, he served as the Federal Law Minister in the Yahya Khan Cabinet from 1969 to 1971. Cornelius wrote some of the most important textbooks on Pakistan’s legal history and remains one of the most influential figures ever to serve in Supreme Court.
Alvin Robert Cornelius
Perhaps, in no other institution contribution of Pakistan’s Christian community has been more significant than the armed forces, particularly Pakistan Air Force. Patrick Desmond Callaghan, born in 1926, became a one-star air officer and is credited for his pioneering work in flight safety. Commissioned into the Royal Indian Air Force as a pilot officer in 1945, he opted to serve Pakistan in 1947. Squadron Leader Peter Christy, born in 1937 was a bomber pilot who was officially declared missing in action during the war of 1971. Wing Commander Mervyn Leslie Middlecoat born into an Anglo-Indian family, too was a martyr of 1971. Air Vice Marshal Eric Gordan Hall, born in 1922 into an Anglo-Burmese family, played a vital role during the war of 1965. Known as The Heavy Hitter, Hall’s out-of-box thinking led Pakistan Airforce to use a C-130 cargo aircraft to bombard, an unprecedented move leaving the Indians astounded. Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry, born in 1941 in a Christian family of Punjab also made remarkable contributions in the 1965 and 1971 wars. Major General Julian Peter, hailing from Rawalpindi, rose to be the first Christian Major General of Pakistan Army. In recent times, Noel Israel Khokhar from Lahore, was promoted to the rank of Major General in 2009.
Cecil Chaudhry
Karachi’s Goan Christian Community excelled in sports during the early years of Pakistan. Jack Britto was an Olympic hockey player, a skillful dribbler and one of the best 'goal shooters' in the game, who represented Pakistan in 1952. Jacob Harris, a first-class cricketer and dedicated sports coach in Karachi, played an instrumental role in developing cricket at the grassroots level and is credited for coaching Wallis Mathias, Antao D'Souza, Khalid Wazir, Wasim Bari and Rashid Israr, all who became Test cricketers for Pakistan. Wallis Mathias, was the first Catholic to play for the Pakistan cricket team in 1955. Son of a porter at the Karachi Gymkhana Club, Mathias was a stylish right-handed middle-order batsman. Antao D'Souza, born in 1939 was a Pakistani cricketer who played in six Test matches for Pakistan from 1959 to 1962. Ian Fyfe, born in 1946, was a cricketer, coach and sports journalist. Fyfe worked as a senior sports reporter for Dawn for many years, and was known for his profound knowledge of the game.
Antao D'Souza
Jacob Harris also coached, John Permal, once known as the fastest man in Pakistan. He was a celebrated sprinter whose speed and athleticism captivated the nation. Competing during a time when track and field was gaining prominence, Permal’s dedication to his sport made him a role model for aspiring athletes. In recent times, Shazia Hidayat, a Pakistani-Canadian track and field athlete born in Chichawatni belongs to a Christian family. She broke barriers by becoming the only female athlete to represent Pakistan at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Following her tracks, Sidra Sadaf, a talented cyclist, etched her name in history by winning a silver medal at the 11th South Asian Games held in Dhaka, in January 2010.
Christians often become good singers and musicians because their faith placed a strong emphasis on singing as a form of worship, encouraging them to actively participate in congregational singing and choir activities. S.B. John was a pioneering playback singer, whose hauntingly beautiful ghazal ‘Tu Jo Nahin Hai’, remains an evergreen classic. Saleem Raza, born Noel Dias, too was a distinguished Pakistani playback singer who contributed to the country's film industry during its formative years. Robin Ghosh, born in 1939 in Baghdad, made significant contributions to film industry as a music composer. He began his career in East Pakistan in the early 1960s. Amongst the female vocalists, Irene Parveen was a legendary playback singer during the golden era of Pakistani cinema in the 1960s and 1970s. Her distinct voice brought life to songs like ‘Tumhi ho mehboob mere’ from Aaina (1966). Arthur Nayyar, known professionally as A. Nayyar, was also a prominent Pakistani playback singer, who was born in 1950 in Sahiwal District and his career spanned several decades. Benjamin Sisters were a Pakistani singing group of three sisters, Nerissa, Beena and Shabana Benjamin, and they participated in various music learning programs aired on Pakistani Television from 1968 to 1987.
A. Nayyar
In recent times, musicians Sharoon and Haroon Leo, collectively known as the Leo Twins, gained international fame as instrumental maestros hailing from Rawalpindi. Blending traditional instruments like sitar and violin with modern tunes, earned them widespread acclaim. Roger David, widely known by his stage name Bohemia, is a pioneering Pakistani-American rapper, songwriter and music producer. Born in Karachi into a Punjabi Christian family, Bohemia later moved to the United States and is often referred to as the ‘Pioneer of Desi Hip-Hop’. Nirmal Roy is a versatile singer who has performed in various genres, including pop, folk, and classical music. She gained recognition through Coke Studio, where she performed songs like ‘Ala Bali’ and ‘Raunaq-e-Aashiqui’. Born in 1983, Zoe Viccaji is a distinguished singer-songwriter who also rose to fame through Coke Studio and since has significantly contributed to Pakistan's music industry. Shae Gill, another Coke Studio discovery is a singer who rose to fame with her soulful duet ‘Pasoori’ alongside Ali Sethi. The song became a global sensation, garnering millions of views and showcasing her ethereal voice and natural talent. Starting as a casual Instagram singer, Shae Gill’s rise has literally been meteoric.
Born as Ivy Cynthia in 1950, Rozina was a distinguished film actress who made significant contributions to Pakistani cinema during the 1960s and 1970s. Rozina’s most acclaimed films included ‘Armaan’ (1966), a landmark in Pakistani cinema, and ‘Josh’ (1966), which highlighted her acting prowess. Ashir Azim shot to overnight fame with his first drama serial for Pakistan Television, ‘Dhuwan’. He is an actor, director and producer. His film ‘Maalik’ was a powerful film and he has always used his art for educating the public. Jia Ali is a renowned actress and model who gained prominence in the 1990s. Her breakthrough role in the Pakistani film ‘Deewane Tere Pyar Ke’ showcased her acting prowess. Sunita Marshall too is a celebrated model and television actor, known for her elegance and versatility. She has walked the ramp for top Pakistani designers and graced countless magazine covers. Her notable television roles include ‘Mera Saaein’ and ‘Khuda Aur Muhabbat’. In recent times, Erica Robin is a Pakistani model and the first winner of the Miss Universe Pakistan 2023 title. Born and raised in Karachi, she broke barriers by representing Pakistan in international pageantry.
Ashir Azeem
Cyril Almeida is a well-known journalist who served as the assistant editor and columnist for Dawn. Hailing from Karachi, Almeida graduated from LUMS and studied jurisprudence as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford. Almeida is also from the Goan Catholic community of Karachi. Known for his bold and courageous reporting, Almeida was named the International Press Institute's World Press Freedom Hero in 2019. Another emerging personality is Jovita Alvares, who is a visual artist, art educator and art writer from Karachi. She is a graduate from the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture and has received numerous awards for her work. She has participated in multiple group shows in Pakistan and internationally.
Jovita Alvares
Born in Karachi in 1937, Colin David is regarded as Pakistan’s most eminent figurative artist. A creative genius, Colin understood the modern idiom in art and the sense of spatial harmony, brilliant use of color and the contrapuntal element that gave his art a masterly quality. Norma Fernandes, a distinguished Pakistani educator, dedicated over five decades to the field of education, significantly influencing Karachi's academic landscape. She began her teaching career at St. Patrick's High School, and in 1966 she joined Karachi Grammar School, where she served as a teacher and later as Headmistress until 2009. Fernandes passed away in 2024, leaving behind a legacy of educational excellence and dedication. In 2023, Sister Zeph, gained global fame as a dedicated teacher, women's rights activist and philanthropist from Gujranwala, when she was awarded the prestigious Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize, which includes a $1 million reward, acknowledging her exceptional contributions to the field of education. Romana Bashir too is a prominent Pakistani women's rights activist and a former member of the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women, where she represented religious minority communities.
Colin David
In conclusion, the contributions of Christians to Pakistan are diverse and significant, spanning across various sectors, enriching the nation in countless ways. Their achievements serve as a testament to their talent, dedication and unwavering commitment to Pakistan's progress.
Irene Parveen
Air Vice Marshal Eric Gordan Hall
Sunita Marshall
Shae Gill
Romana Bashir
Saleem Raza
The Benjamin Sisters
S B John
Wallis Mathias
Rozina
Major General Julian Peter
Jacob Harris
Ian Fyfe
Jack Britto
Jia Ali
Wing Commander Mervyn Leslie Middlecoat
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