ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended Pakistan’s Hindu community on Sunday, recognizing its significant role in the nation’s progress in a message marking Diwali, one of Hinduism’s most sacred festivals.
Often called the festival of lights, Diwali represents the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Observants celebrate by illuminating lamps, adorning their homes, offering prayers, and convening with family and friends.
“The Hindu community of Pakistan is a valued and integral part of our national fabric,” Sharif stated in a message released by his office. “Its invaluable contributions to the social, cultural, and economic development of our country deserve the highest appreciation.”
Hindus represent one of Pakistan’s largest religious minorities, with the majority residing in the southern province of Sindh.
The Prime Minister’s remarks arrive as religious minorities in Pakistan continue to voice concerns regarding discrimination and unequal treatment. Advocacy groups have specifically drawn attention to allegations of forced conversions and marriages affecting Hindu girls and young women.
Sharif invoked the vision of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who championed religious freedom and equal citizenship in his August 11, 1947, address to the Constituent Assembly. Jinnah declared that citizens were free to worship according to their faith and that religion should not dictate their status as citizens.
Emphasizing pride in the nation’s religious and cultural diversity, Sharif affirmed his government’s commitment to safeguarding the rights, dignity, and religious freedoms of all citizens, irrespective of faith, color, or ethnicity.
“Our collective resolve is to build a peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous nation,” he said. “A society that embraces diverse cultures and traditions and upholds the principles of peaceful coexistence ensures equal educational and economic opportunities for all its citizens.”
The Prime Minister noted that Diwali carries a message of peaceful coexistence and hope for a better future. He called for renewed efforts to foster interfaith harmony, mutual respect, and understanding, extending wishes for happiness and prosperity to Pakistani Hindus celebrating the festival.
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