Christmas illuminates twin cities

Churches have been festively decorated with colourful flags and twinkling lights

RAWALPINDI:

The Christian community is celebrating Christmas – an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ – with religious fervour today [Monday].

All churches in the twin cities have been festively decorated with colourful flags and twinkling lights. Christmas trees stand alongside churches and dot the front yards of Christian households.

On Christmas Eve, followers of the faith held a wake and offered prayers to welcome the auspicious day of Christmas. Prayers were also made for the development and prosperity of the country.

The remainder of the moonlit night was spent shopping in commercial centres, which were open late into the night for shoppers who flocked to stores despite the cold. Popular commercial markets included bazaars of Saddar and Iqbal Road, Raja Bazaar, Tench Bhatta Bazaar, Raja Bazaar and Moti Bazaar.

Most Christmas shoppers were witnessed at garment and shoe stores as they shopped for last-minute festive attires and presents. Many Christians have also prepared special Christmas cakes for the festive occasion.

Security has been stepped up for Christmas across all churches in the city. Police forces that include female commandos have been deployed at churches. Entry into churches will be monitored through walk-through gates. Closed circuit cameras have also been installed.

Christmas celebrations in the churches will start at 9am today and will continue till 11am, during which offerings will be made to honour Jesus and Mary.

Special traffic arrangements

The City Traffic Police (CTP) has issued a special traffic plan for Christmas Day and Quaid-e-Azam’s birth anniversary day.

According to a CTP spokesperson, as many as 281 officers and wardens will be deployed in the city to regulate traffic and facilitate citizens from midnight of December 24 through December 25.

Read Christmas preps in full swing

The spokesperson added that traffic officials including circle in-charges, inspectors, traffic wardens and traffic assistants will be stationed to maintain the flow of traffic on city roads. Special squads will also be deployed to check and control one-wheeling.

Cake-cutting held

A Christmas cake-cutting ceremony was organised on Sunday by the Rawalpindi police for officers belonging to the Christian community of Rawalpindi police.

Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Operations, Flight Lieutenant (retd) Hafiz Kamran Asghar, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Admin, DSP Security Tahir Sikandar and Christian police officers along with their families participated in the ceremony.

SSP operations fulfilled the honour of cutting the Christmas cake alongside policemen and their children. The SSP congratulated members of the Christian community present at the occasion and presented them with gifts and wishes.

“The purpose of this event is to share in your happiness,” said SSP operations. “The Rawalpindi police join you in celebrating the joy of Christmas.”

“Foolproof security will be provided to churches, Christian localities and the community,” said Superintendent Hafiz Kamran Asghar. He further added that all safety measures were being taken for the welfare of the force as per the vision of the Punjab Inspector General of Police.

–With additional input from APP

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25^th, 2023