Xmas trees, fairy lights, Santa caps and snowmen dotted cities across Pakistan as Christmas festivities kicked off on Sunday.

Members of the Christian community will attend special services at illuminated churches where prayers will also be offered for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan, Radio Pakistan reported.

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.

Ahead of Christmas this year, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique also inaugurated a special Christmas Train which travelled across the country spreading Christmas cheer. The Xmas Peace Train that left Peshawar on Dec 22 will reach Karachi on Dec 31.

Explore: In pictures: All aboard the Christmas train!

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ordered there to be zero loadshedding today in the country.

President Mamnoon Hussain and PM Nawaz extended their heartiest felicitations on the occasion and wished Christians in Pakistan and all over the world a merry Christmas.

The government is striving to promote interfaith harmony and discourage religious discrimination, they said.

Explore: Christmas in Karachi: Who needs reindeer if you have camels?