Punjab Police Finalize Security Plan for Christmas and Quaid-e-Azam Day

By Dr. Ansab Ali, Lahore, Pakistan
Lahore, Pakistan — The Punjab Police have finalized a comprehensive security plan for Christmas and Quaid-e-Azam Day, deploying over 30,000 officers and personnel across the province to ensure the safety of citizens and religious sites. The plan covers more than 2,900 churches, including over 600 places of worship in Lahore, where 5,000 police personnel will be on duty. Additionally, over 1,000 personnel will be assigned to protect Quaid-e-Azam Day programs.
According to the Punjab Police spokesperson, women police officers will also be deployed to conduct checks on female visitors during the celebrations. Churches have been categorized into A, B, and C based on sensitivity: 142 churches in Category A, 291 in Category B, and more than 2,500 in Category C.
Inspector General of Punjab, Dr. Usman Anwar, directed all Regional Police Officers (RPOs) and District Police Officers (DPOs) to maintain high alert levels, deploy additional forces at sensitive churches, and remain vigilant against anti-state elements and suspicious individuals. Supervisory officers have been instructed to coordinate closely with church administrations to ensure seamless security arrangements.
Security measures will include continuous monitoring through Safe Cities Authority cameras, and deployment of commandos and snipers at sensitive locations. Specialized units such as the Dolphin Squad, PERU, and Elite Police teams will conduct patrols around churches and Christian neighborhoods, while the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and Special Branch, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, will take action against terrorists and miscreants. RPOs, DPOs, and City Traffic Officers (CTOs) have been directed to personally supervise security and traffic arrangements.
Ahead of Christmas, flag marches, search, and sweep operations are being conducted in and around churches and Christian localities to ensure preparedness. The IG also confirmed that parks, recreational areas, foreign embassies, and other sensitive installations will receive full security coverage. Cooperation with religious leaders across different faiths will help promote interfaith harmony during the festivities.
The Punjab Police have emphasized that these measures are part of a foolproof security strategy to safeguard citizens and uphold peace during the Christmas and Quaid-e-Azam Day celebrations across the province.