Pakistan's Zardari and Sharif Greet Hindus for Diwali, Pledge Minority Rights
Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have congratulated the Hindu community on Diwali and pledged to protect minority rights and religious harmony.
Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have congratulated the country's Hindu community on the festival of lights, Diwali. In messages published on Sunday on the platform X, both politicians reaffirmed their commitment to protecting minority rights and religious harmony.
Zardari described Hindus as an integral part of national life and pointed to their contributions in areas such as education, healthcare and the arts. He recalled the vision of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, a state in which all citizens are equal regardless of their faith. The president called equal citizenship a "sacred national obligation." He placed this position in the tradition of the Pakistan Peoples Party and the political legacy of the Bhutto family. Diversity, he said, is a strength of the country, and protecting minorities is a shared task of all citizens.
Prime Minister Sharif also stressed that the Hindu community is regarded as a valued part of the national fabric. He noted that the constitution guarantees the religious and civil rights of minorities. The government further committed to equal opportunities in education and the economy. Sharif called for interfaith coexistence, tolerance and mutual understanding.
Both messages drew on the festival's symbolism: Diwali stands for the light that overcomes darkness and for good triumphing over evil. Sharif's statement was distributed through the Prime Minister's Office and is dated 8 November. The statements did not name specific policy measures or individual incidents.
Source: tribune.com.pk
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