Pakistan boosts security at churches before Christmas; Christians and authorities unite to promote peace amid regional tensions.
Newsroom (18/12/2025 Gaudium Press ) As Christmas approaches, Pakistani authorities are implementing intensified security measures at Christian churches across the country, aiming to ensure the safety and peace of celebrations. The civil administrations of various provinces have coordinated closely with local Christian communities and church leaders to develop comprehensive plans, reflecting both vigilance and solidarity in a climate of unease.
The measures include deployments of security forces, enhanced lighting, street cleaning, and careful traffic management around church areas. Security personnel are expected to conduct checks at church entrances to prevent any untoward incidents. Meetings between police officials and Christian representatives have been held to refine coordination and establish clear channels of communication. Police officers have also visited several churches to evaluate existing security arrangements and offer guidance on additional precautions.
“Following the attacks in Pakistan and the recent events related to the conflict with Afghanistan, there is widespread fear of terrorist attacks in Pakistani society,” said Father Qaisar Feroz OFM Cap, parish priest in Lahore and communications officer for the Pakistani Bishops’ Conference. “The government’s plan for alerting and protecting sensitive locations also includes churches, especially during the Christmas season.”
According to Father Feroz, government authorities have emphasized that “the protection of people, property, and the peaceful coexistence of minorities is the highest priority.” Police in Islamabad have also appealed to citizens to report any suspicious activities without delay, reinforcing a spirit of vigilance that complements faith communities’ own preparations.
Even as security concerns loom large, Pakistan’s Christians remain steadfast in celebrating the season’s enduring message. “We are trying to live the spirit of Christmas and convey it to all Pakistanis, regardless of their religion, as an opportunity for fraternity and peaceful coexistence,” Father Feroz noted. He described recent public events in Lahore—one organized by the Punjab government’s Ministry of Minority Affairs and another by the Catholic community—as striking examples of this shared aspiration.
The government-sponsored celebration began at the Sacred Heart Cathedral and ended in Freedom Square, drawing participants from multiple faiths. “It was an opportunity for interfaith unity and harmony, where people came together to share messages of peace and joy,” Father Feroz said. “Christians are messengers of peace, in a time marked by conflict and hostilities.”
Citing Pakistan’s complex regional landscape, Father Feroz emphasized the broader meaning of Christmas. “At Christmas, Christ Jesus, the Prince of Peace, gives us the spirit of reconciliation and peace. And we give it to the nation, to the Muslim faithful and other religious communities, to governments, to the neighboring populations in India and Afghanistan, with whom there are currently tensions, in the hope of restoring peaceful relations.”
In this same spirit, a public event for peace will take place on December 21 in Karachi, bringing together Christian leaders, civil authorities, and other religious representatives. Similar interfaith gatherings are being organized across the country by Catholic dioceses, associations, and study centers, reaffirming a message that transcends theological boundaries: that peace, fraternity, and hope remain the true hallmarks of Christmas.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Fides News
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