The Christian community celebrated Christmas with zeal amid peak winter and tight security on Wednesday.
Churches were thronged by members of the minority community who gathered for special services after which prayers were offered for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the government took numerous steps to facilitate Christians. Law enforcement agencies were deployed around Churches and Christian residential areas as well as parks, food outlets and other places where they were expected to celebrate their festival.
Renowned social figures around the world and Pakistani political leaders wished Pakistan a Merry Christmas, a few of whose messages along with pictures of how the day was celebrated across the country are below.
Prime Minister Imran Khan took to Twitter to wish Chrisitan citizens a happy Christmas.
Wishing all our Christian citizens a Happy Christmas.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 25, 2019
In a series of tweets, the premier reiterated that the government treats all minority citizens as equal citizens of Pakistan and undertakes to empower them to use their abilities socially, economically and politically for the national development and added that the day was also a reason to celebrate the Quaid’s ideology as it coincides with his birthday.
“Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had, right from the first day of creation of Pakistan unequivocally declared a policy of equality, freedom and security for all communities living in Pakistan irrespective of their religion, profession or ethnic origin,” he said.
President Arif Alvi wished Christians across the world and in Pakistan a merry Christmas and included a quote by Jesus regarding peace in his message.
Merry Christmas to Christians the world over and specially to those in Pakistan, with a message of peace, according to Jesus himself who said ‘Peace I leave with you and my peace I give you’.
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) December 25, 2019
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif also extended Christmas wishes to members of the community, writing: “May this day bring peace, happiness and prosperity for all!”
Wishing all Christian brothers and sisters on the festive occasion of Christmas!
May this day bring peace, happiness and prosperity for all!
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) December 24, 2019
“May this day be one of peace and joy for all, and let the message of tolerance and inclusiveness resonate across the world today,” wrote PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in his Christmas message on Twitter.
A very happy Christmas to everyone celebrating in Pakistan and the world over. May this day be one of peace and joy for all, and let the message of tolerance and inclusiveness resonate across the world today.
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) December 25, 2019
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor also shared his Christmas message on the micro blogging site while giving it a political flavour.
Very Merry Christmas to Christians in Pakistan, across the globe and especially to the the ones in the states of Odisha and alike under the Hindutva obsessed environment.#MerryChristmas#BeginningOfEnd pic.twitter.com/XFOnUjnMz6
— Asif Ghafoor (@peaceforchange) December 25, 2019
Pope Francis in his Christmas Day message urged the world to let the light of Christmas pierce the “darkness in human hearts” that leads to religious persecution, social injustice, armed conflicts and fear of migrants.
Following are visuals from Christmas celebrations across Pakistan:
