Payments will be made on December 22 to facilitate preparations amid a sharp rise in prices of festive items.
Christians spread love and harmony at a pre-Christmas peace rally. A heartwarming display of faith and unity marks the start of the holiday season. Photo: AFP
The federal government announced that the salaries and pensions of Christian federal employees would be paid in advance in order to provide relief before Christmas.
According to a circular issued by the Ministry of Finance, payments will be made on December 22, allowing Christian employees and retirees to carry out their religious celebrations and preparations with complete convenience. The advance payment applies to all eligible federal employees and retirees in the Christian community.
The Finance Ministry has directed the Controller General of Accounts, Islamabad, to make necessary arrangements for advance payments.
Prices for Christmas tree decorations, lights and other items in open markets have increased by 50-70% compared to last year. Christian shoppers say prices of clothing, shoes and gifts for children, men and women have increased as much as 100% from the previous year.
Christian leaders and pastors, including Pastor Qaiser Masih, Pastor Asif Masih, Father Ilyas Masih and Central Leader Rashid Chauhan, called on the federal and provincial governments to provide Christmas grants to Christian employees through Baitul Mal or Zakat funds, and to provide Christmas bonuses and honoraria to all Christian workers.
Read: Christmas preparations light up churches
Churches began decorating, repainting and carrying out renovation work, while Christian homes and colonies also began putting up Christmas trees. Open markets, shopping malls and bazaars are seeing increased activity as Christian families begin their Christmas shopping, including purchasing items to decorate Christmas trees.
Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema, CPO Khalid Hamdani, Chief Commissioner and IG Islamabad announced foolproof security for all churches in Rawalpindi and Islamabad from December 20, which will continue till the New Year festivities.
CCTV cameras and gates are installed in churches, and monitoring has been declared compulsory. Police women will also be deployed and full security will be provided for Christmas Eve on December 24 and Christmas Day on December 25.
