Christmas celebrated amid tight security in Lahore

Ceremonies organised at more than 500 churches

LAHORE: Members of the Christian community celebrated Christmas with prayers and cake cutting ceremonies in different parts of the city on Monday.

The Christmas celebrations started with prayer services on Sunday night, while prayer sermons were held all over the city on Monday morning. Ceremonies were organised at more than 500 churches in the metropolis.

Choirs went house-to-house singing Christmas Carol and receiving gifts from the houses they visited.

A cake cutting ceremony was also held at the Directorate General Health Service Punjab where Christian employees of the health department and MPA Shehzad Munshi, Lahore Deputy Commissioner, Lord Mayor, CEO Health and Minister Primary and Secondary Health Care participated.

Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir said that minorities had played a vital role in the creation of Pakistan. He said that the white colour in the flag of Pakistan represents minorities and their rights. The Punjab government had established a Christmas bazaar for the Christian community across the province to celebrate the occasion, he added.





Security arrangements

To provide strict security on Christmas, Lahore Police ensured four-layered security in the city. They also organised Christmas celebrations at their offices with police officials belonging to the Christian community and announced three days holiday for them.

DIG Operations Dr Haider Ashraf in a statement said that at least 15,000 police officials were deployed for security of at least 551 churches in the metropolis.

The churches in the city were divided into three categories - A, B and C, according to their sensitivity by security division of Lahore Police. About 427 of them fell into C-category, 61 in B-category and 63 in A-category according to sensitivity.

In City Division, there were a total 67 churches. About 46 fell into C-category, 13 in B-category and eight in A-category. In Civil Lines Division, there were a total 42 churches. Around 27 fell in C-category, seven in B-category and eight in A-category.  In Cantonment Division, there were a total of 173 churches. About 142 fell into C-category, 17 in B-category and 14 in A-category. In Iqbal Town division, there were a total of 28 churches, 21 tell into C-category, four in B-category and three in A-category. In Sadar Division, there were a total of 96 churches, 73 fell into C-category, 10 in B-category and 13 in A-category. In Model Town division, there were a total of 145 churches, 118 fell in C-category, 10 in B-category and 17 in A-category.



Dr Ashraf said that mock exercises were conducted before Christmas to train police officials to deal with the emergency situation. The SPs of all divisions visited churches and reviewed security arrangements.

Capital City Police Officer Amin Wains on Sunday also visited different churches throughout the city and issued instructions. He appreciated the efforts of SHO Naulakha, Civil Lines and Qila Gujjar Singh and announced cash prize and certificates for them. According to the security plan, checking on entry and exit points of the city was increased on Christmas. Search operations were conducted in areas surrounding churches. Police also received signed surety bonds from residents and owners of hotels, hostels and requested them not let any suspect reside at their place.

Flag marches were also conducted by City Division and Iqbal Town Division. The teams of Dolphin Squad and Police Response Unit remained on patrolling in nearby areas of the churches to keep an eye on any suspicious person or activity. Snipers were also deployed on rooftops of the churches and nearby buildings.

The participants were allowed entry after checking at three points. They were checked physically, with metal detectors and were asked to pass through walk-through gates.

The vehicles entering the premises were allowed parking at least 200 metres away church celebrations after thorough checking.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 26^th, 2017.