Like rest of the world, the Christians celebrated Christmas with religious fervor in the country, including Punjab's provincial capital city Lahore on Sunday. They Christian community illuminated their homes and churches. Special prayer services were held at the churches, including Naulakha Church, Cantonment Church, Lawrence Road Church and Ferozepur Road Church.
Hundreds of thousands of participants prayed for the country's prosperity. On Saturday night various programmes particularly stage dramas featuring the birthday of the Jesus Christ and highlighting its importance were held in the Christian population localities including Nashtar Colony, Garhi Shahu, Railways Bael Ahata, Saddar Cantonment, Qilla Gujjar Singh, Kot Lakhpat.
In his message on the Christmas Day, Bishop of Lahore Dr Alexander John Malik felicitated the Christians and rest of the citizens of the country.
"Christians have no monopoly on Christ. He belongs to all whether black or white, yellow or brown, young or old, men or women," he said.
He further said that the forces of evil and darkness could not extinguish the light that Christ had lighted in the world through his life and teachings. The bishop prayed for peace in the world and for Pakistan's prosperity.
Meanwhile, Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khosa and Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif also felicitated the Christian community on the occasion.