Twin cities' churches adorn festive outlook

Security tightened at religous sites, shopping peaks amid complaints over soaring prices

RAWALPINDI:

Christmas preparations have been completed in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Churches in both cities are illuminated with colourful lights, flags and Christmas trees, while decorations in Christian colonies have further added to the festive atmosphere.

Christmas trees have also been set up in the colonies.

With the disbursement of salaries and pensions to Christian employees, Christmas shopping has reached its peak at commercial centres, markets and plazas, which are now remaining open until 1am.

Christmas holidays have also been announced in Christian educational institutions, while special prayers have begun in churches.

Following directives to ensure security, CCTV cameras have been installed at all churches and special control rooms have been set up. Additional police personnel have been deployed at churches, and a special security plan has been enforced from December 24 to 25, including the deployment of police commandos.

For the first time, women police personnel have also been deployed.

Christian leaders, including Pastor Qaiser Masih, Pastor Asif Masih, Father Elias Masih, Rashid Chauhan and Jibran Gill, said prices of garments, jackets, shoes and Christmas decoration items had increased by 100 to 300 per cent this year.

They said no Christmas honorarium had been given even to low-grade Christian employees, no Christmas sasta bazaars were set up, children's garments were beyond purchasing power, Christmas trees were extremely expensive, and decoration items had also become costly.