Christmas celebrated amid high security

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Pakistani Christians attend a midnight services at St. Anthony's Church to celebrate the Christmas in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

LAHORE: As Christmas was celebrated amid tight security in the country on Tuesday, the president, prime minister and other top government officials extended their greetings to the Christian community.

A number of celebratory events, including congregations in churches, were held to mark the birth of Jesus Christ followed by prayers for the country’s prosperity.

Christians dolled up their homes and churches with Christmas trees and fairy lights. Christmas trees were also installed at the Christian residential colonies to celebrate the auspicious occasion.

Foolproof security arrangements were made owing to the sensitivity of the occasion. Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) were on high alert throughout the day. Nearly 4,000 troops were deployed in the provincial capital for Quaid-e-Azam Day .

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WISH CHRISTMAS:

A number of government officials wished the Christian community on the occasion after the country’s premier announced to observe Christmas at an official level.

The official twitter account of the federal government extended its greetings to the community.

“The Government of Pakistan wishes a very Happy Christmas to all celebrating in Pakistan and across the world.”

The office of the President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi issued a special message on the eve of Christmas.

Prime Minister Imran Khan also took to twitter to wish the Christian community a “happy and peaceful Christmas”.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa also joined the community at Christ Church, Rawalpindi to take part in the Christmas celebrations and wished them a joyous festival.

Bajwa acknowledged the role of Christian brethren in the progress of the state, an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement said. “General Bajwa especially acknowledged their contributions as part of armed forces,” the statement further read.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry also felicitated Christian community and said that “the community members have played a great role in solidarity, development and prosperity of Pakistan. He appreciated their services in health, education and other sectors”, Radio Pakistan reported.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also wished the Christian community via Twitter.

“Ministry of Information & Broadcasting wishes a very joyous Christmas greetings to the Christian community living in Pakistan and world around. Merry Christmas.”

Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari also wished the Christian brethren a happy Christmas in a tweet.

“Wishing everyone celebrating, a truly joyous and safe Christmas. May all your hopes and dreams come true,” she said

In his official statement, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar congratulated the minority community and said that the “birthday of Hazrat Essa (AS) is a sacred occasion for the Christian community as well as for the Muslims”. He further added that “promotion of brotherhood, tolerance, harmony, love and affection is the essence of the teachings of Hazrat Essa (AS),” according to Radio Pakistan.

Punjab Minorities Minister Aijaz Alam Augustine in his Christmas message said that the chief minister had announced a grant of Rs30 million on the eve of Christmas and Rs25 million for the scholarship of minority students across the province.

Punjab Information and Culture Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan in his message said that the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ “was being celebrated at the national level to express solidarity with the minority community”.

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