Lahore: November 30, 2008. (Jawad Mazhar for PCP) Kamran Michael, the provincial minister for Minorities’ Affairs and Human Rights Punjab has circulated a notification to all the departments of the Punjab government to disburse an extra sum of Pakistani Rupees 1000/- (US $ 13 approx) as a Christmas gift among all the government Christian employees from grade ‘1’ to grade ‘9’. This bonus would be given to all the Christian government workers during the auspicious month of December 2008. Pakistan Christian Post established through well placed Punjab Government sources. Provincial minister Kamran Michael has also sent out a draft to the Punjab government for the approval of 3 official holidays on the festival of Christmas. “This is to ensure that Christians of Pakistan celebrate Christmas with great religious fervor and overwhelming happiness”, Michael apprised Pakistan Christian Post. It is crucial to mention here that this Christmas bonus and Christmas break would add much to the happiness of poverty stricken Christians of Pakistan and would give them great relief. Especially in a condition when prices of edibles, garments and other household commodities have sky-rocketed due to the Pakistani Rupee depreciation.