RAWALPINDI: Joseph Masih spent December 25 working at a private hospital in Saddar to eke out a living for his family while his community celebrated Christmas.

“Had I not come to work, the employer would have sacked me as he had already told me,” said 32-year-old Joseph, adding there was shortage of staff.

Joseph said he was getting Rs11,000 salary and if he skipped work expect Sundays his salary would be deducted.

“For my ailing mother and two sons and wife, I have to work round the year.”

He said his family had gone to church and he would join them at dinner.

“Life is hard for those who failed to get education and for this reason I am providing education to my children so that they will not have to miss their festivals,” he said.

There were many more people like Joseph who spent the day working.

Meanwhile, Christians celebrated the event amid security concerns. However, the city district government had made arrangements at churches.

In the localities of Westridge, near Holy Family Hospital, Arya Mohallah, Javed Colony and others, the Christian community did not illuminate their houses.

However, churches were decorated with colourful lights and tinsel.

“We avoided decorating our streets in fear of any terrorist activity, especially after the Peshawar incident in September,” said Jabran Aziz, a resident of Westridge.

He said rising inflation was another reason for this.

“My father was of the view that we should not decorate houses and streets and spend the money on indoor family celebrations,” he said.

Rahat Massih, a resident of Javed Colony, said besides his low-paid government job he worked at a cattle pen to supplement his income.

However, after the shifting of the milch animals out of the city limits, he was left with just his government job.

“For this reason, I avoided spending money on the decoration of my house,” he said.

Shamoon Gill of All Pakistan Minorities Association said security arrangements at churches were better than last year.

Additional District Collector General Mohammad Ali Randhawa visited various churches and distributed Christmas gifts.