President Zardari and PM Shehbaz Reaffirm Minority Rights on Diwali

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday congratulated the Hindu community on Diwali, saying the protection of religious minorities’ rights in Pakistan was a shared responsibility of all. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also reaffirmed his commitment to minority rights on the occasion.

According to Geo News, the five-day festival, also known as the festival of lights, began on Sunday and is being celebrated across the world. It is considered a symbol of the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and hope over despair.

In his message, President Zardari said the Hindu community was an integral part of national life. He said its contributions in education, health, business, public services, social welfare, and arts and culture had enriched the country.

The president said Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah envisioned a country where faith, caste or race would not stand in the way of equal citizenship and equal rights. “We should honour this vision by ensuring that every citizen can freely practise their religion, live with dignity and enjoy equal protection under the law,” he said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the diverse cultural and religious traditions in Pakistani society were a valuable social asset.