Jingle bells, jingle all the way

Xmas celebrated with religious fervour amid tight security arrangements.

LAHORE/MULTAN/BAHAWALPUR: The Christian community in Punjab celebrated Christmas with religious fervour amid tight security arrangements on Sunday.

Special prayers and services were held at churches illuminated and decorated with Christmas trees, lights and buntings. The prayers were followed by Xmas cake-cutting functions. Shoppers continued to throng markets late Saturday night.

Strict security arrangements were made by the police at all the venues to avert any untoward incident.

All the participants at these functions were frisked with metal detectors prior to their entry into the churches and no irrelevant person was allowed to enter the churches. Extra contingents of Elite Force, reserve police and ladies staff were deployed for Christmas duty.

In Lahore, the main Christmas function was held at Saint Mary’s Church where celebrations were kicked off after cake-cutting ceremony.  Over 6,000 police officials were deployed for the security of 550 churches and gatherings.

Snipers were deployed on the rooftops of nearby buildings to keep an eye on any suspicious activities as teams of Mujahid Squad, Elite Force, Police Response Unit and Dolphin Squad kept patrolling the nearby areas.

In Sialkot, Christmas was marked with traditional zeal, enthusiasm and fervour in Uggoki, Sambrial, Daska, Bhopalwala, Aadha, Pasrur, Badiana, Chawinda and surrounding areas. Special services were held at churches for peace, integrity, solidarity and prosperity of the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 26^th, 2016.