ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended greetings to Pakistan’s Hindu community on Monday to mark the festival of Diwali, reaffirming their commitment to protecting minority rights and promoting interfaith harmony.
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is one of the most vibrant and significant celebrations in the Hindu calendar. The five-day festival marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over evil.
During Diwali, homes are cleaned and decorated, candles and oil lamps are lit, and prayers are offered to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth — symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
President Asif Ali Zardari extended warm wishes to the Hindu community in Pakistan and abroad, describing Diwali as a reminder of the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
In his message, the president said the festival reflects the “universal values of peace, compassion, and harmony that are shared across faiths,” adding that these principles lie at the heart of Pakistan’s national life. He reaffirmed that the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees equal rights and full freedom of religion for all citizens.
President Zardari recalled the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who envisaged a Pakistan where people of every faith could freely practice their religion and live with dignity. He also praised the Hindu community’s contribution to the country’s social, cultural, and economic life, particularly in education, commerce, and public service.
“As we celebrate Diwali,” he said, “let us reaffirm our commitment to tolerance, unity, and peaceful coexistence. May this Festival of Lights inspire us all to work for a Pakistan guided by equality, harmony, and the spirit of togetherness envisioned by our founding fathers.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Message
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also extended his congratulations to the Hindu community in Pakistan and around the world, saying that Diwali reflects “the victory of light over darkness and hope over despair.”
He said Pakistanis take pride in their country’s diversity, which strengthens its social and cultural fabric. The prime minister praised the Hindu community for its “valuable role in Pakistan’s social, economic, and political life,” describing their service as a source of national strength.
Sharif said he is proud to see members of the Hindu and other minority communities working “shoulder to shoulder with their Muslim brothers and sisters for the country’s development.” Recalling the vision of Quaid-e-Azam, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that all communities enjoy equal rights and opportunities, regardless of faith.
The prime minister expressed hope that the Festival of Lights would bring peace and prosperity to all citizens and “further strengthen the bonds of unity and brotherhood among people of every religion in Pakistan.”
