Daily Times

LAHORE: Like elsewhere in the world Christians across Pakistan as well as in the provincial capital will celebrate Easter marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ after crucifixion, today (Sunday).

Special services would be organised at almost all churches across the country. The main congregations will be held at the Lahore Cathedral on The Mall and Sacred Heart Cathedral on Cecil Chaudhry Road (Lawrence Road).

Rt Rev Samuel Azriah will lead the service at the Cathedral Church on Waris Road. Rev Dr Majeed Abel will lead the prayers at Naulakha Church. Broadcast service in Urdu will be held at 10:30 am at Lahore Cathedral while the English service will be held at 8:30am.

More than 10,000 police officials would perform security duty at all important and sensitive, churches, public places as well as other areas of the city. Also, police had declared 125 churches highly sensitive. Traffic police officials would also perform duty to ensure smooth flow of traffic on the special day.

Under the security plan, parking lots had been set up at a safer distance from churches, whereas, metal detectors, walkthrough gates would be used to frisk people entering the churches.

In this connection, CCPO Captain (r) Amin Wains, Deputy Inspector General (Operations) Dr Haider Ashraf and other police officers visited several areas of the city to monitor security arrangements.

Police contingents have been deployed at St Anthony’s, St Mary’s Cathedral, St Don Basco Catholic Church, St Andrew’s Sacred Hall Cathedral and St Joseph Church among others.

According to Christians, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day also known as Resurrection Day or Resurrection Sunday.

A number of Christian families would hold special activates at their homes. Some special and colourful activities would also be arranged indoors for children.

Published in Daily Times, April 1^st2018.