ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Hindu community began celebrating their traditional spring festival of Holi on Thursday. The celebration marks the end of winter and expresses gratitude for a good harvest.
The Hindu community in Pakistan makes up about 2 percent of the country’s population, with the most dense population of Hindus to be found in the southeastern province of Sindh, sometimes referred to as “the land of mystics.”
In recent years, several high-profile Pakistani politicians have participated in celebrations for the festival in an attempt to make the community feel included.
This year, Pakistan People's Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari extended greetings to the Hindu community, saying that his party stood for equal rights and opportunities for the country’s non-Muslim citizens.
He declared that Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Pakistan’s founding father, envisioned an inclusive and egalitarian state, and added that all citizens should be able to celebrate religious festivals in a free and secure environment.
Last year, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who has now been disqualified from office, issued a similar message to the country’s Hindus. He said that Pakistan was created as a hub of peace for people of all faiths.
Hindus celebrate festival of colors in Pakistan
Hindus celebrate festival of colors in Pakistan
Government says Imran Khan’s ‘detailed’ medical report shared, family disputes claim
- Khan underwent an eye procedure last month, PTI says family was not informed
- Ex-PM’s sister says only brief notes provided despite Supreme Court assurance
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government said on Friday a “detailed” medical report of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan had been shared with his family following directions from the prime minister’s office, even as Khan’s relatives disputed the claim and accused jail authorities of withholding information.
Concerns over Khan’s health were raised by his family and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party last month after the government confirmed he was taken from prison to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a brief eye procedure. Authorities said at the time that Khan’s condition was stable and the treatment routine, while PTI leaders said they were not informed in advance and questioned the lack of transparent medical disclosure.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the report was prepared by PIMS and had been forwarded to the prison authorities and handed over to Khan’s family.
“A letter was written by the Leader of the Opposition to the Prime Minister and PTI Leaders also approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan regarding medical check up of Mr. Imran Ahmad [Khan] Niazi who is serving his sentences in Central Jail Rawalpindi (Adiala),” he said in a social media post on X.
“On directions from Prime Minister’s Office, a detailed report has been sent by Executive Director PIMS Hospital to the Superintendent of Central Jail Rawalpindi (Adiala) which has been handed over to the family,” he added.
However, the former prime minister’s sister Aleema Khan said they had not received complete medical reports, despite assurances given by the country’s top judge.
“The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court committed last Friday that Imran Khan’s medical reports would be provided to his family,” she said on X. “Today, when the jail superintendent appeared before the ATC [Anti-Terrorism Court], only two brief notes were submitted.”
She said the government’s conduct reflected a disregard for the court’s order, urging the Chief Justice of Pakistan to issue a contempt notice to the jail authorities and ensure that Khan’s medical reports were handed over to his family without further delay.
The dispute has renewed tensions surrounding Khan’s incarceration, which has become a flashpoint in Pakistan’s deeply polarized politics.
Khan, who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, has been in prison since August 2023 following multiple convictions that he and his party say are politically motivated, a charge the government denies.
