In pictures: Christmas celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm across Pakistan

Special services held in churches across the country and prayers offered for Pakistan's peace, progress and prosperity.
Published December 25, 2022

Christian communities across Pakistan, like other parts of the world, celebrated the grand festival of Christmas on Sunday with traditional zeal and enthusiasm.

The festival saw a variety of activities, including official gatherings, cake-cutting ceremonies and prayers at churches.

Christian devotees take part in a Christmas prayer service at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore on December 25, 2022. — AFP
Christian devotees take part in a Christmas prayer service at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore on December 25, 2022. — AFP

Special cake-cutting ceremonies were held at various ministries and departments on Friday to share the happiness of the festival with Christian staff members and acknowledge their contributions.

Special services were held in churches across the country and prayers were offered for Pakistan’s peace, progress and prosperity as well as for the safety of all humanity from natural disasters and diseases.

Members of the Frontier Constabulary personnel stand guard during a Christmas prayer ceremony at the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church in Quetta on December 25, 2022. — AFP
Members of the Frontier Constabulary personnel stand guard during a Christmas prayer ceremony at the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church in Quetta on December 25, 2022. — AFP

Christian devotees take part in a Christmas prayer service at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore on December 25, 2022. — AFP
Christian devotees take part in a Christmas prayer service at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore on December 25, 2022. — AFP

Christian devotees take part in a Christmas prayer at the St John’s Cathedral Church in Peshawar on December 25, 2022. — AFP
Christian devotees take part in a Christmas prayer at the St John’s Cathedral Church in Peshawar on December 25, 2022. — AFP

Christian devotees take part in a Christmas prayer at the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church in Quetta on December 25, 2022. — AFP
Christian devotees take part in a Christmas prayer at the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church in Quetta on December 25, 2022. — AFP

Members of the Frontier Constabulary personnel stand guard during a Christmas prayer ceremony at the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church in Quetta on December 25, 2022. — AFP
Members of the Frontier Constabulary personnel stand guard during a Christmas prayer ceremony at the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church in Quetta on December 25, 2022. — AFP

Christian devotees take part in a Christmas prayer at the St John’s Cathedral Church in Peshawar on December 25, 2022. — AFP
Christian devotees take part in a Christmas prayer at the St John’s Cathedral Church in Peshawar on December 25, 2022. — AFP

Bishop Humphrey Sarfaraz Peters leads a Christmas Day service at the St John’s Cathedral in Peshawar on December 25, 2022. — Reuters
Bishop Humphrey Sarfaraz Peters leads a Christmas Day service at the St John’s Cathedral in Peshawar on December 25, 2022. — Reuters

Christian devotees take part in a Christmas prayer at the Christ Church in Rawalpindi on December 25, 2022. — AFP
Christian devotees take part in a Christmas prayer at the Christ Church in Rawalpindi on December 25, 2022. — AFP

Christian devotees take part in a Christmas prayer at the Christ Church in Rawalpindi on December 25, 2022. — AFP
Christian devotees take part in a Christmas prayer at the Christ Church in Rawalpindi on December 25, 2022. — AFP

Christian devotees take part in a Christmas prayer at the Christ Church in Rawalpindi on December 25, 2022. — AFP
Christian devotees take part in a Christmas prayer at the Christ Church in Rawalpindi on December 25, 2022. — AFP

A woman, along with others, attends a Christmas Day service at the St. John’s Cathedral in Peshawar, on December 25, 2022. — Reuters
A woman, along with others, attends a Christmas Day service at the St. John’s Cathedral in Peshawar, on December 25, 2022. — Reuters

People attend a Christmas Day service at the St. John’s Cathedral in Peshawar, on December 25, 2022. — Reuters
People attend a Christmas Day service at the St. John’s Cathedral in Peshawar, on December 25, 2022. — Reuters


Header image: Christian devotees take part in a Christmas prayer service at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore on December 25, 2022. — AFP