Twin cities set to celebrate Christmas today

Over 700 police personnel deputed, traffic plan issued


Iftikhar Choudhry December 25, 2020

ISLAMABAD:

With lights and plenty of tinsel, houses and churches along with commercial centres and other public places have been decorated for Christmas, which will be largely celebrated by the Christian residents of the twin cities.

Many public places have been decorated for the occasion. Some have put up colourful tinsel with lights and a Christmas tree. In other places, entire scenes of the nativity have been recreated using models.

Many people can also been seen thronging cake shops to either purchase or order Christmas cakes, which are traditionally exchanged on Christmas day.

Over 700 personnel to be deployed

The Islamabad Police have devised a comprehensive security plan for Christmas in the federal capital, under which over 700 security personnel, including women police, will perform duties in different parts of the city.

Following directions of Inspector General (IGP) of Islamabad Police Aamir Zulfiqar Khan, DIG (Operations) Waqaruddin Syed and Additional SP Farhat Abbas Kazmi devised an elaborate security plan.

Under the plan, zonal SPs will monitor their respective areas to ensure security in and around churches of the city. The police have also issued a separate security order for all churches, besides deployment of additional personnel to keep a vigilant eye on suspects.

Moreover, teams of the Islamabad Police will patrol their respective areas under the supervision of SDPOs and SHOs.

Women police officers will be deployed outside churches to facilitate worshippers. Police will also be assisted by volunteers. Besides police, the Bomb Disposal Squads (BDS) will be deployed in different areas of the city to deal with any emergency.

DIG Syed said that the police will fully cooperate with the Christian community on the day and ensure stringent security, besides promoting interfaith harmony.

He added that the zonal SPs have been provided with the additional police personnel to enhance their patrolling while a police reserve force will remain ready to respond to any emergency.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25th, 2020.

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