Daily Times

LAHORE: Preparations to celebrate Christmas today (Sunday) in the provincial capital geared up on Saturday.

Members of Christian community, including women and children, will visit churches today to attend the prayer sermons. All big and small churches have worn a festive look to celebrate the blessed day of the birth of Jesus Christ. Candlelit ceremonies were also held at several churches.

Several cake cutting ceremonies and seminars in connection with Xmas and birthday of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah would also be held across the city. The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has also announced that there would be no load shedding today until till 5pm.

Despite dense fog that has covered the city since Friday night, bazaars were brimming with people, who had come to buy different Christmas-related items – like trees and other festive material. Loads of women were also seen on several garment brands, which have offered special discount offers.

People were also remained busy to decorate churches with colourful lights, Charismas trees, balloons, greeting cards and other several items of decoration.

Talking to Daily Times, a group of children said that they were very excited to celebrate the annual festival which for they wait for whole year. Children said that they have purchased special fancy clothes after spending day and night in the markets and shopping malls as well other costumes like Santa Claus.

Members of Christian community have also decorated their homes and also set the menu of scrumptious and delicious food items, which would be served to guests and neighbours but after attending the prayer ceremonies.

Meanwhile, the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) spokesperson has said that special cleanliness arrangements in and around Christian localities, worship places and recreational public points have been made across the city.

“The LWMC in collaboration with the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has also made special arrangement for the families of Christian workers to have free recreational visits to Race Course and Gulshan Iqbal Park. Families of workers will also be able to enjoy free rides at Race course and Gulshan Iqbal Park,” the spokesman said.

Wildlife and Parks Director General Khalid Ayaz Khan has directed the Lahore Zoo administration for adopting all security measures to provide foolproof security to visitors on Xmas Day. He said all CCTV cameras would remain functional to monitor suspicious activities.

Provincial Minister for Minorities and Human Rights Khalil Tahir Sandhu has extended warmest wishes for a peaceful, as well as a happy Christmas to the whole Christian community living in Punjab and Pakistan.

Separately, Punjab Higher Education Minister Syed Raza Ali Gillani has also congratulated the Christian community on the auspicious day of Christmas.

In his message, he said “Christmas is an occasion of delight and enjoyment, and the Punjab government fully shares their joys on this happy occasion. In fact, Christians and other religious minorities are beautiful part of our society.”

Meanwhile, more than 5,000 policemen have been deployed in the provincial metropolis to avert any untoward incident.

Security at public places, including parks and all entry and exit points of the provincial capital has been tightened.

All superintendents of police, sub-divisional police officers and station house officers have made arrangements for effective patrolling in their respective areas. Plainclothesmen and well-equipped policemen have been deployed at sensitive points. All hotels and guesthouses were also thoroughly searched for suspects.

Talking to Daily Times, a senior police officer said a high profile meeting of senior police officers has been held to chalk out a “foolproof” security plan to maintain law and order in the city. He said that police high ups have passed on directives to police officials to ensure patrolling in their respective areas and pay surprise visits at police pickets set up within their jurisdiction.

Capital City Police Officer (CCPO), Amin Wains and DIG Operations Dr Haider Ashraf said that more than five thousand police officials would perform their duty at 450 churches across the city.