Prep in full swing for Xmas festivities

Special night vigils will begin in churches today

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RAWALPINDI:

Christians in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad will celebrate Christmas tomorrow (Wednesday) with their participation in special night vigil services in the churches on Tuesday. The Christian community has completed all preparations for Christmas.

There will be Christmas shopping on the moon night today. Shops, commercial centres, and markets of the twin cities will remain open until 1am. Foolproof arrangements have been made to control traffic in the commercial centres of Saddar Bazaars for Christmas shopping.

In the spirit of Christmas, special arrangements have been made for children and families to enjoy toys, dodge cars, mini battery cars, fly rides, computerised indoor games, swings, horse and camel rides, and lake boating in all 45 entertainment places of the twin cities. Food and drinks have also been arranged.

All amusement parks will remain open from 9am to 1am on Christmas Day and December 26. The chairlift in Patriata has also been upgraded and opened immediately.

The district administration and police have developed a comprehensive security plan to ensure the safety of churches, with police personnel deployed at all churches. Additionally, commandos have been stationed on the roofs of main churches located on Mall Road, Saddar, and Murree Road.

To further enhance security, entry to churches will be restricted to walk-through gates, where individuals will be screened using metal detectors. Moreover, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been installed in all small and large churches.

Churches have been decorated with vibrant colours and lights, and Christmas trees have been set up. Special songs will also be performed in churches during the vigil services tonight. The Christian community has also decorated Christmas trees with beautiful lighting in their homes.

All preparations for shopping on Chand Raat (Moon night) have been completed. However, due to the significant increase in the prices of clothing, jackets, sweaters, coats, and shoes in large stores, many Christian middle-class and poor families have opted to shop for their children at Lunda Bazaar, where prices are up to 50% lower than in the open market.

According to Christian families, the current economic situation, marked by high inflation, has resulted in a notable decrease in Christmas shopping this year. The government has given three holidays to Christian employees in celebration of Christmas.

A police spokesperson says policemen have been deployed in every church along with foolproof security arrangements in churches across the city.