Christmas festivities gain momentum in twin cities

As Christmas and the New Year draw closer, formal celebrations have begun across the twin cities. In connection with Christmas and New Year festivities, all small and large recreational parks in the city have started special preparations for Christian families, including decorative arrangements, swings, and expanded recreational activities.

Large parks are witnessing a surge in Christmas tree decorations.

Christmas tree decorations, colorful flags, and electric lights are being installed at churches, Christian colonies, and Christian homes across Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Police in the twin cities have also formed special teams to conduct raids and make arrests against the preparation, supply, and sale of poisonous liquor during Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Security checks at entry points to Rawalpindi have been intensified.

Christmas shopping has reached its peak in markets, commercial centers, shopping malls, and bazaars of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. December 24 will be observed as Shopping Night, while Christmas Eve prayer night will be held at churches where Christian families will engage in worship throughout the night.

Foolproof security arrangements have been made at churches, and instructions have been issued to complete all new decorative work by December 23.

Due to increased shopping activity, markets are now remaining open till late at night, with Christian families turning out in large numbers. Owing to Christmas, advance salaries are being paid today, Friday, December 19, to employees of all government and private institutions, which is expected to further boost shopping activity.

Christian priests, pastors, and community leaders expressed satisfaction over strict security arrangements at churches during Christmas and New Year. Pastor Qaiser Masih, Pastor Asif, Father Ilyas Masih, central Christian leader Rashid Chauhan, and Babu Sajid said there is still time to grant a special Christmas honorarium, similar to Eid gifts, to low-grade Christian employees. They also demanded five holidays for Christian employees on Christmas, the establishment of immediate low-cost Christmas bazaars, and thanked the prime minister, chief ministers, governors, ministers, political parties, and district bars for participating in Christmas cake-cutting ceremonies.