ISLAMABAD – President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday extended warm greetings and best wishes to the Hindu community across Pakistan and around the world on the joyous occasion of Diwali, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting minority rights and promoting interfaith harmony.
President Zardari Highlights Diwali’s Message of Light, Peace, and Coexistence
In his message, President Asif Ali Zardari said that Diwali symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, values that resonate across all faiths.
“As our Hindu citizens and millions around the world celebrate Diwali, this festival reminds us of the victory of light over darkness and good over evil,” the president said, adding that the occasion represents universal values of peace, compassion, and harmony shared by humanity.
President Zardari emphasized that these principles are deeply rooted in Islam, which upholds mutual respect, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence among people of different religions.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s constitutional guarantee of equal rights and religious freedom for all citizens, noting that the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was to build a nation where minorities enjoy complete freedom to practice their faith.
“The Hindu community has been an integral part of our social, cultural, and economic fabric since the country’s inception. Their contributions in education, commerce, and public service have enriched our shared national life,” Zardari stated.
The president urged the nation to renew its commitment to tolerance, unity, and equality, saying that Diwali should inspire all Pakistanis to work for a more inclusive society.
“May this Festival of Lights inspire us to build a Pakistan guided by equality, harmony, and the spirit of togetherness envisioned by our founding fathers,” he added.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Reiterates Pledge to Equality and Diversity
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also extended his greetings to the Hindu community, describing Diwali as a festival that celebrates hope, light, and the power of positivity.
“The Festival of Lights reminds us that light prevails over darkness and hope triumphs over despair,” he said. “As Pakistanis, we take pride in the diversity of our society, which strengthens our national unity and enriches our shared culture.”
Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all citizens, regardless of religion or belief.
He lauded the Hindu community’s valuable contributions to Pakistan’s social, economic, and political development, noting that members of minority communities continue to work shoulder to shoulder with their fellow citizens for national progress.
The prime minister reiterated his resolve to uphold the vision of Quaid-e-Azam, who envisaged a Pakistan where all faiths coexist peacefully.
Concluding his message with a warm “Happy Diwali,” Shehbaz prayed for peace, prosperity, and unity among all communities in the country.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori Emphasizes Interfaith Harmony
Meanwhile, Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori also extended Diwali greetings, conveying his best wishes for peace, happiness, and prosperity to the Hindu community.
He said Diwali carries a timeless message of light, love, peace, and brotherhood, adding that the Hindu community has played an important role in the development and progress of both Sindh and Pakistan.
Governor Tessori reiterated that all religious minorities in Pakistan enjoy complete freedom to practice their faith.
He stressed that protecting minority rights and promoting interfaith harmony remain top priorities for the government.
“The current government continues to take practical steps to strengthen unity, understanding, and mutual respect among all faiths,” Tessori noted, urging special prayers during Diwali for the peace and prosperity of the nation.
The Festival of Lights: A Celebration of Hope and Renewal
The five-day festival of Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, began on Monday and is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the world. The festival marks the return of Lord Rama, one of Hinduism’s most revered figures, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
Homes and temples are illuminated with lamps and candles, fireworks light up the skies, and families exchange gifts and sweets as part of the celebrations — a global expression of renewal, joy, and unity.
