People head to parks after Christmas mass

Police ensure tight security around churches, strict monitoring of picnic spots

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD: Scores of families of the Christian community headed to parks and recreational spots after Christmas mass on Wednesday.

The day was celebrated with zeal and fervour in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad amid a festive atmosphere with tight security around churches and recreational places.

After the midnight mass, the day dawned with special prayers for the peace and prosperity of the country. The Christian community observed religious rituals of the day at their respective Churches and then scores headed to picnic spots and eateries to the enjoy the day with friends and family.

Churches were decorated colourfully with Christmas trees, gifts, special ornamental items, wall hangings and illuminated with colourful lights. Christian community of twin cities also adorned their homes and streets with scene of Nativity, lights and buntings.

Police had thrown a three-layered security cordon around every church and placed CCTV cameras and walkthrough gates. Moreover, sharpshooters had been deployed on rooftops of churches besides elite force commandos and policewomen. There was a ban on parking any vehicle within 200-yards radius of churches.

The main ceremonies were held at Catholic Church, Lalkurti, Protestant Church, Mall Road, Saddar and Catholic Church at Christian Colony.

According to Rawalpindi police spokesman, 2,800 police personnel were deployed in the city and special deployment was ensured at churches and public places.

City Police Officer Muhammad Ahsan Younas also visited various churches to monitor the security.

There was a rush of people at the sweets shops and food outlets for special Christmas decorated cakes, baskets of delicious cookies and hand-crafted chocolates besides other cuisines.

For the festival, bakers and sweet shops introduced the best styles and innovative ideas for the decorative Christmas cakes to attract the customers.

Christian families, decked in colourful dresses, headed to parks and picnic spots. Being winter vacations, children were also seen in large numbers enjoying the season’s cheer. Restaurants and other food outlets were also overcrowded with people enjoying a day out on the festive occasion.

All main parks including Lake View Park, Daman-i-Koh, Pir Sohawa, Fatima Jinnah Park, Rose and Jasmine Garden in Islamabad, Jinnah Park, Ayub Park and Nawaz Sharif Park in Rawalpindi remained jammed packed on Wednesday. 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 26^th, 2019.