Diwali 2025: PM Shehbaz Celebrates with Hindu Community, Emphasizes Tolerance and Unity

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday extended warm greetings to the Hindu community and other religious minorities on the occasion of Diwali, describing the festival as a “beautiful message of joy, peace and tolerance.”

Addressing a special ceremony held at the Prime Minister’s House, attended by senior religious leaders, diplomats, members of minority communities, and parliamentarians, the prime minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of minorities in the country.

“The presence of Hindu, Christian, and other minority leaders at this event reflects the living reality of Pakistan’s pluralism,” Shehbaz said. He reiterated that every citizen, regardless of faith, enjoyed the constitutional right to practise religion freely and without fear.

Highlighting various institutional and policy measures taken by the government, the prime minister said progress was being made to strengthen the legal foundation of the proposed National Commission for Minorities. He also mentioned scholarship schemes for minority students and their representation in federal and provincial assemblies as part of efforts to promote inclusion and equal opportunity.

Shehbaz praised minority communities for their contributions in public service, defence, education, and development, calling their patriotism and service a “source of national pride.” He urged all Pakistanis to work “shoulder to shoulder” to counter hatred, intolerance, and extremism, and to preserve Pakistan as a land of peaceful coexistence.

The prime minister also underlined that religious festivals enjoyed official recognition, adding that holidays and workplace accommodations were ensured to facilitate citizens of all faiths.

Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Kheal Das Kohistani lauded the government for officially hosting Diwali celebrations at the Prime Minister’s House, terming it a “historic moment.” He also paid tribute to Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the DG ISPR, and the Minister for Information and Broadcasting for advocating peace and restraint during Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, noting that no temples or civilians were targeted, unlike actions by Indian forces.

“Post-May 10 Pakistan is the true Pakistan ,one that has no room for terrorism, extremism or hatred but stands for peace, tolerance, interfaith harmony and unity,” he said.

Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yousaf Khan, in his remarks, said that the participation of people from different faiths in the Diwali celebrations demonstrated Pakistan’s message of peace, unity, and interfaith harmony. He recited verses from the Holy Quran emphasising equality and shared humanity.

Earlier, Prof. Chanchal Nawab of Physics delivered a lecture on the significance of Diwali, describing it as a festival symbolising the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. “Diwali is not an event of the past , it is a philosophy of life that inspires mankind to rise above injustice and adversity,” she said.

Prof. Nawab welcomed the official celebration of Diwali as a symbol of interfaith harmony and a reflection of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision of a nation where all citizens enjoy equal rights.