Christmas celebrated amid tight security in Punjab
MULTAN: The Christians celebrated the Christmas inMultan and other parts of the South Punjab on Monday. They performed religious services at their respective churches amid tight security. On the directions of CPO Sadiq Ali Dogar, Multan police had adopted foolproof security measures. The worship services were held at 41 churches across the district and out of them, three churches were declared sensitive. On the occasion, more than 1,200 police officers and Jawans performed their duties.
Apart from this, teams of Dolphin Force, Elite Force and Muhafiz Squad patrolled different areas. All the events were monitored by CCTV cameras to ensure foolproof security. Police personnel in plain clothes also performed their duties for secret surveillance. Strict checking was done at the entry and exit points and entry points of churches across the district.
Citizens’ data was verified through biometrics. CPO Multan Sadiq Ali had issued instructions to all officers to make foolproof security arrangements on the Christmas. All the officers should visit the churches and review the arrangements, including CCTV along with the church administration, the CPO ordered.
In Multan region, over 2,630 police personnel performed security duties in Multan, Khanewal, Vehari and Lodhran to provide security to over 200 churches. On the instructions of RPOMultan Muhammad Sohail Chaudhry, security personnel covered all areas in the division. The purpose of these arrangements was to ensure the safety of the special worship places of the minority community.
On the occasion, the RPO said that theMultan Region police were always striving and using all possible resources to protect the masses. Strict security arrangements had been made for 41 Christmas festivals/ church security in Multan, 41 Vehari, 106 Khanewal and 14 programmes in Lodhran district, he added. Meanwhile, while greeting the Christians on the Christmas, PPP senior leader Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that the sacrifices of the Christian brothers for the establishment of Pakistan were not hidden from anyone. He congratulated the Christians on the Christmas.
LALAMUSA: The Christmas was celebrated in the district amid tight security onMonday. The streets were decorated with lights, buntings and banners to mark the special day. Despite economic challenges and ever increasing inflation, the Christians celebrated the day with traditional spirit. The Christians distributed cakes and nuts among their families, friends and neighbors.“Though our purchasing power may have been affected, but our spirit remains undeterred, a Christian added.
The churches of Mohallah Karimpura and Dhoop Sari were the focal points of the festivities where prayers were offered by the Christians. The Christians had also set up food stalls for the visitors to mark the day.
GUJRANWALA: The Christian community celebrated the Christmas across the district. Special services were held in churches to celebrate the festival. The Christian community illuminated homes and churches while special Christmas Bazaars had been set up for shopping. Almost all churches had been decorated with colorful lights and Christmas trees. APP ADDS FROM FAISALABAD: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Abdullah Nayyar Sheikh Monday cut a cake at his office to celebrate the Christmas festivities with Christian employees of various departments. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the minorities especially the Christians played a dynamic role in the national progress and prosperity. Therefore, the government would fully protect their fundamental rights by providing them all basic amenities at their doorsteps, he added. He congratulated the Christian community on Christmas and urged them to forge unity and interfaith harmony for greater national interest. Later, he distributed gifts among the Christian employees.
APP adds from Bahawalpur: A ceremony was held at the office of the Communication and Works Department, Government of Punjab, to celebrate the Christmas here.
The ceremony was presided over by Communication and Works Department for South Punjab Secretary Jawad Akram. It was also attended by Deputy Secretary, Works and Communication, Syed Waseem Hassan, Section Officer (General) Riaz Joyia and several employees of the department who belonged to the Christian religion. Speaking on the occasion, Akram said that people belonging to the Christian religion had been playing a significant role in mainstream life in the country.
