In pictures: Pakistani Christians celebrate Christmas under pandemic's shadow

Special services and cake-cutting ceremonies were held in illuminated churches across the country.

Dawn.comUpdated 25 Dec, 2020

The Christian community across Pakistan celebrated Christmas on Friday with traditional festivities and gatherings, albeit with the coronavirus looming above the holiday.

Special services and cake-cutting ceremonies were held in lit up churches throughout the country, while devotees offered prayers for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan and safety of the humanity from the deadly pandemic.

While social distancing during the gatherings appeared to be minimal, many participants could be seen wearing face masks, with some wearing them wrongly and others forgoing them completely.

Strict security measures were taken to ensure safety of the Christian community and forces had been deployed outside churches to thwart any untoward incident.

People wearing protective masks attend a Christmas service at St. John's Cathedral in Peshawar, December 25, 2020. — Reuters

A nun wearing a facemask distributes holy communion to devotees during Christmas prayers at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Rawalpindi on December 25. — AFP

People attend a Christmas service at St. John's Cathedral in Peshawar, December 25. — Reuters

Policemen stand guard during prayers at the Saint Patrick's Cathedral on Christmas Day in Karachi on December 25. — AFP

Christian women greet each other after attending a Christmas mass at St. John's Cathedral in Peshawar. — AP

Christian devotees attend a prayer service on Christmas Day at the Methodist church on Christmas Day, in Quetta. — AFP

People celebrate Christmas at St. John's Cathedral in Peshawar, December 25. — Reuters

Christian devotees attend a prayer service on Christmas Day at St. John's Cathedral in Peshawar. — AFP

Christians leave after attending a Christmas mass in Our Lady of Fatima Church in Islamabad on Friday, Dec 25. — AP

A girl takes a selfie after attending a Christmas mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore, Friday. — AP

A Frontier Constabulary (FC) soldier stands guard during prayers at the Methodist church on Christmas Day, in Quetta. — AFP

A Christian woman prays during Christmas mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore. — AP

Header image: Christians attend a Christmas mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore, Friday, Dec 25. — AP

Comments (47) Closed

Ameen Khan

Dec 25, 2020 09:27pm

Let's make Pakistan example to other Muslim countries where minorities can flourish and can be integral part of the nation. Long live Pakistan.!

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JUR-USA

Dec 25, 2020 09:29pm

Merry Christmas to our Christian brothers and sisters.

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saeeds

Dec 25, 2020 09:33pm

Merry Christmas.

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Shaun

Dec 25, 2020 09:36pm

Lot of people are not wearing mask, which is not good at all.

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Rafi

Dec 25, 2020 10:03pm

I wish our Christian brothers and sisters a blessed Christmas. May the Lord grant you love, joy, and peace.

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Sami

Dec 25, 2020 10:13pm

Merry Christmas to our Christian brothers and sisters

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Chrís Dăń

Dec 25, 2020 10:13pm

Cool and spiritually bright photographs from the beautifully decorated churches in Pakistan:)

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Ifti Malik

Dec 25, 2020 10:57pm

Merry Christmas to all Christian brethren all over Pakistan and the world.

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Imtiaz Ali Khan

Dec 25, 2020 11:14pm

Love, love and love to my Pak Christian families and Christian families all over the world. Merry Christmas. I love you all my Pak family of all faiths and origins.

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Good Saturday

Dec 25, 2020 11:27pm

@Shaun, are you wearing one?

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Muslim Medina

Dec 26, 2020 12:04am

Merry and safe Christmas to all Christians around the world. Please join all Muslims around the world and pray for elimination of COVID-19. Thanks.

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Pops

Dec 26, 2020 12:29am

Merry Christmas to all celebrating, from the UK. Wishing you a prosperous and happy 2021.

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Chandra

Dec 26, 2020 01:08am

Merry Christmas. I hope adequate security provided to my Christian Brothers and Sisters.

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Dr.AsHamed.

Dec 26, 2020 01:14am

The security guys at the worship place tells a lot about the situation on the ground.

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Dec 26, 2020 03:34am

Merry Christmas!

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ING_DU

Dec 26, 2020 03:54am

Merry Xmas

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ABCD$

Dec 26, 2020 04:09am

Beautiful Photos.Well done. A very Merry Christmas to all Pakistani Christians.

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Aziza

Dec 26, 2020 04:59am

Dear our celebrating fellow Pakistanis, a very merry Christmas to you!

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Punjabis Chronicles

Dec 26, 2020 05:37am

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

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Venkat

Dec 26, 2020 05:58am

Whether the festival is Eid or Deepavali or Christmas or Guru Nanak Jayathi ..equal justice by Dawn ..keep it up ..

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Taj Ahmad

Dec 26, 2020 06:23am

Marry Christmas to all Christians in Pakistan and around the world.

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KHALID Y ABOWATH

Dec 26, 2020 07:41am

Merry Christmas.

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Zak

Dec 26, 2020 07:49am

In neighbouring country, Christian churches are burnt daily, under Modi. 'The Christian community across Pakistan celebrated Christmas on Friday with traditional festivities and gatherings, albeit with the coronavirus looming above the holiday.'

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Zak

Dec 26, 2020 07:51am

Merry Christmas to all Pakistani Christians and others round the world, including Indian Christians. Stay safe.

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Tasawar Bashir

Dec 26, 2020 08:02am

Merry Xmas to all our brothers and sisters. Hope the children get plenty of chrisie

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Dadijee

Dec 26, 2020 08:14am

A very merry Christmas to all Christians in Pakistan and abroad full of peace, love, joy, happiness and hope for better times to come to all humanity.

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N_Saq

Dec 26, 2020 08:36am

Nice! This is how it should be i.e. all Pakistanis with all different faiths living freely and happily in Pak. This will improve patriotism and everyone will be proud to call themselves Pakistanis plus I can guarantee people from other countries will also want to live in Pak.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Dec 26, 2020 08:41am

Happy Christmas and a joyful new Gregorian year of 2021 to all Christians in the world including Christian minorities in the Islamic Republic Republic of Pakistan.

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Anonymouseee

Dec 26, 2020 09:21am

Beautiful pictures from Pakistan. Happy Christmas to our brothers and sisters.

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Abuismail

Dec 26, 2020 09:33am

Sad that security must be provided to celebrate Christmas..

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Ameen Khan

Dec 26, 2020 10:08am

A very happy and bless chirstmas to all our Christians brother and sister, especially to Pakistani christian citizens. Regar

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Nick, NY

Dec 26, 2020 10:54am

The radiance of the white stripe of Pakistani flag is radiating exquisitely! Wishing all, Peace & Happiness for the New Year!

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Sanjay

Dec 26, 2020 12:05pm

@Zak, let both country open the border. We will see how many muslim n christians would like to come to pakistan.

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Tips

Dec 26, 2020 12:10pm

I hope in 10 years time these ppl still get to celebrate....

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Jadogar

Dec 26, 2020 01:15pm

@Dr.AsHamed., They were there to tackle indian sponsored terrorists!!

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D J Saikia

Dec 26, 2020 01:18pm

Good coverage by The Dawn. This is called the mosaic of cultural fabric be it in Pakistan or in India.

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Chris Roberts

Dec 26, 2020 01:18pm

A very happy Christmas to all! It's sad, however, that such tight security around churches is a necessity.

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Friend

Dec 26, 2020 01:54pm

Good to see two thousand Christians in Pakistan still left to celebrate Christmas

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Kashmiri

Dec 26, 2020 02:50pm

@Friend, For your information there are over 3 million Christian who live in pakistan and there are around 46 big purpose built churches.

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Ravi-Pune

Dec 26, 2020 03:22pm

But why these Christians in pictures weared Muslim costumes?? why not Jeans, skirts, hats, over coats..? if you want to see real christian costumes ..come to Goa, Pondicherry, Aizwal, Kohima, Dimapur Silchar, Jessore-Kolkata, Gangtok..

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Iqbal Zaman

Dec 26, 2020 03:56pm

Happy Christmas

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Saleem Tahir

Dec 26, 2020 03:57pm

A very merry x-mass to all christians ,around the world

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M. Emad

Dec 26, 2020 05:28pm

Pakistan's religious minorities have been traumatised by everyday discrimination.

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Abid

Dec 26, 2020 06:04pm

Merry Xmas my dear brothers and sisters in Pakistan.i grew up among yourselves in Pakistan,and have very affectionate feelings for you.have a great day.

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VKS

Dec 26, 2020 06:39pm

@Zak, "In neighbouring country, Christian churches are burnt daily, under Modi. " Well, according to you, the Christian population in India must'ave been decimated long ago......

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Padma

Dec 26, 2020 07:17pm

@Zak, Will you stop making false statements. What do you know how we celebrate Christmas in India? Don’t make allegations only just for the sake of making. Grow up man.

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Javed Ali

Dec 26, 2020 08:59pm

@Shaun, go to the pakistan markets and see how many are wearing masks. Always negative in thoughts say something positive at least once

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