Christians embrace Xmas cheer

Churches and homes light up and shopping gains pace

RAWALPINDI:

The Christian community across the city has kicked off extensive preparations for Christmas and New Year. All churches in the city and cantonment areas of the city are being decorated with Christmas trees, paints, electric baubles and flags, while Christian families have also started decorating Christmas trees in their homes.

Christmas shopping in markets and other commercial centres has also gained momentum till late night. A good number of visitors, who are seen thronging markets and bazaars ahead of Christmas and New Year, have also caused traffic disruptions.

The prices of clothes for women and children have seen a massive increase, causing concern among Christian families. Children's suits are being sold for within the range of Rs4,000 to Rs5,000, sweaters for Rs2,500, jackets for Rs8,000, coats for Rs4,000 to Rs10,000 and women's suits for among the range of Rs5,000 to Rs12,000.

Similarly, the prices of Christmas trees and decorative lights have also surged. Temporary stalls for Christmas trees and decoration items have been set up in small and large markets across the city, attracting Christian families for their home decorations.

The district administration and police have also devised a foolproof Christmas security plan on the occasion of Christmas, under which the security of all churches in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad will be made foolproof. Entry to each church will be through a walk-through gate and checking will be carried out with metal detectors. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will be installed in every church. Commandos will also be deployed on the roofs of churches.

As Christmas is approaching fast, Christian priests, pastors and leaders Pastor Qaiser, Rashid Chauhan and Pastor Ashfaq have demanded that salaries be paid to Christian employees of all government and private institutions by December 20 and pensions to Christians.

They also sought Rs2,000 Christmas gifts for Christian government employees along with their salaries and special discounts on Christmas trees and shopping in markets.