Special programmes will be held in city churches across the country to celebrate the festival.

Residential colonies were decorated with twinkling lights and stars, and baubles such as bells, pine cones, apples, candies, tinsel and balloons bedecked trees, streets, houses and churches. Wreaths were hung outside stores buzzing with last-minute shopping on christmas eve.

Almost all churches have been decorated with colorful lights and illuminated with Christmas trees, Radio Pakistan reported.

The government is striving to promote interfaith harmony to discourage religious discrimination.