For the first time, the Christian community in Pakistan has been invited to say their Easter prayers online from their homes as there were no gatherings in cathedrals and churches due to coronavirus pandemic in the country.

The concept of online or livestream church prayers was encouraged by the Punjab government and the community also.

The community also prayed for the prosperity and protection of Pakistan especially for the eradication of the deadly respiratory coronavirus that has killed 86 people across the country.

Dean of Lahore Cathedral Rt Reverend Shahid Miraj told 24NewsHD TV channel that no gathering was arranged at the churches but sessions were broadcasted online for the sunrise service at 4.30 am and the second service in English at 8.30am led by Bishop of Lahore Rt Reverend Irfan Jameel. Durations of all the services were reduced.

The Christian community in Lahore celebrated Easter while children performed religious singings in their homes.

Punjab Minority Affairs and Human Rights Minister Ijaz Alam Augustine in a statement wished Easter to the entire community and said that all minorities in Pakistan are enjoying equal rights and the government has taken concrete measures for their welfare.

He said that the government of Punjab has taken essential measures to effectively cope up with the dangers of coronavirus. “People should strictly follow and implement on the preventive measures being given by concerned departments to save themselves from coronavirus.”

He said that the Punjab government has imposed Section 144 and health emergency to ensure the safety of the lives of every citizen as the government was fully committed to safeguarding the lives and properties of the country’s minorities.

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif felicitated the Christian Pakistanis on Easter eve. He tweeted, “Wish a joyous Easter to our Christian brothers & sisters across Pakistan and around the world. I urge you live the spirit of this day, which represents rekindling of hope, by celebrating at home and taking all precautions that will limit and eliminate the spread of COVID 19.”

https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1249245675096809477

Easter is part of Holy Week according to Christian faith, which started from Palm Sunday followed by Good Friday celebrations and ended up with Easter which Christian considers most important religious event after Christmas.

Traditional, the day started with as Christian called Dawn Service of Sunrise Service followed by processions led to churches where special prayers were conducted but there were no precessions on Easer 2020.

All the churches including Cathedral Church of the Resurrection (Lahore Cathedral), Sacred Heart Cathedral, St. Andrew's Church, St. Anthony's Church, St. Joseph's Church and St. Henry's Church are closed amid lockdown by the Punjab government. Police ensured security measures outsides the churches to foil any untoward incident.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also felicitated the Christian community on Easter eve.

https://twitter.com/SMQureshiPTI/status/1249253278224916480