The Christian community is celebrating their biggest festival of Christmas today (Sunday) with religious zeal and fervour.
Christmas festivities started in the morning with masses at churches and special prayers in honour of Jesus Christ.
Various areas of the garrison city lit up with great enthusiasm and fairy lights as the community members came together to make the occasion memorable.
Giant snowmen, Santa hats and fairy lights were strewn across the city as some members of other communities also made preparations to wish their Christan brethren a merry Christmas.
On the other hand, authorities concerned have completed preparations for the special occasion.
All the churches and houses belonging to the Christian community across the city are decorated sophisticatedly with Christmas trees, colourful flags and electric lamps.
In the joy of Christmas, special arrangements have been made for entertainment in all small and big parks besides entertainment places across the city.
All amusement parks including Ayub Park, Jinnah Park, Rawal Dam, Ladies Park, and Rumi Park will open at 9am and will be kept open till midnight.
All parks have additional recreational facilities for Christian families. Attractions for children have been increased and fool-proof security arrangements have also been made in the parks.
The community held vigils in churches on Saturday night and special prayers were offered till late in the night. Christmas carols were performed also.
According to police sources, security cameras have been installed at all churches and everyone will be bound to make entry into the church through walk-through gates.
The security of churches is divided into three layers, they said adding that churches also will have their security. Armed guards will be stationed inside the churches and on rooftops and the balconies, they added.
Police commandos will be deployed at the main entrance gates and police personnel will also be deployed on roads around the churches.
Sources further said around 3,000 police personnel will perform security duties in churches from 7am and will remain deployed there until the end of Christmas celebrations.
Carrying weapons near churches has also been banned and special security arrangements have been made in churches in cantonment areas.
Commercial centres of Rawalpindi remained open till late in the night as the Christian community made a record purchase of various items for the occasion.
Bishop Sajid Khokhar said that Christmas preparations have been completed and special prayers will be offered for the development, prosperity and security of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Islamabad Capital Territory Police have planned comprehensive security arrangements for Christmas in the otherwise peaceful federal capital of the country after Friday’s deadly suicide bombing.
According to a spokesperson for the police, the capital police have been put on high alert to avoid any untoward situation.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 25th, 2022.
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