ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed pride in Pakistan’s cultural and religious diversity while honoring the contributions of its Hindu community as he extended Diwali greetings on Thursday, with his government emphasizing an inclusive national identity amid recent violence targeting minorities.
Diwali, celebrated by millions of Hindus around the world, is the “Festival of Lights,” symbolizing the triumph of good over evil and hope over despair.
Sharif’s message comes as Pakistan grapples with violent incidents against its minority communities, such as last year’s attacks in Jaranwala, where mobs burned multiple Christian homes and churches following blasphemy allegations. The Hindu community in Pakistan has also complained of forced conversions, especially in the southeastern province of Sindh.
Pakistani authorities, striving to improve the country’s image regarding religious tolerance, have repeatedly asserted the state’s commitment to diversity and equal rights for all citizens.
“As Pakistanis, we take pride in the diversity of our society, which strengthens our national fabric and enriches our shared culture,” Sharif said in a message to mark Diwali. “I pay tribute to the valuable contributions of Pakistan’s vibrant Hindu community, whose roles in our social, economic, and political sectors continue to strengthen our nation.”
Sharif underscored the government’s commitment to upholding equality for all communities and ensuring that Pakistan offers equal opportunities for growth, regardless of faith.
He pointed to the Hindu community’s collaborative efforts with Muslim Pakistanis in advancing national development, which he described as “a source of resilience and unity among our people.”
Sharif’s statement echoes the vision of Pakistan’s founding father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who championed a pluralistic state in a landmark August 11, 1947, address to the Constituent Assembly, assuring religious minorities they would be free to practice their faith and affirmed the state’s commitment to equal citizenship for all.
“May this Festival of Lights bring peace and prosperity to your lives and foster strong bonds of unity and brotherhood among people of all religions in our country,” the prime minister said.
Pakistani PM celebrates religious diversity, honors Hindu community’s contributions on Diwali
https://arab.news/wdjje
Pakistani PM celebrates religious diversity, honors Hindu community’s contributions on Diwali
- Sharif statement comes as Pakistan occasionally grapples with violent incidents against minority communities
- His message echoes the vision of Pakistan’s founding father who championed a pluralistic state in August 1947
Suicide bomber kills at least five at wedding in northwest Pakistan
- Attack took place in Dera Ismail Khan, targeting the home of a local peace committee member
- Peace committees are community-based groups that report militant activity to security forces
PESHAWAR: A suicide bomber killed at least five people and wounded 10 others after detonating explosives at a wedding ceremony in northwestern Pakistan on Friday, officials said, in an attack that underscored persistent militant violence in the country’s restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The blast took place at the home of a local peace committee member in Dera Ismail Khan district, where guests had gathered for a wedding, police and emergency officials said.
Peace committees in the region are informal, community-based groups that work with security forces to report militant activity and maintain order, making their members frequent targets of attacks.
“A blast occurred near Qureshi Moor in Dera Ismail Khan. Authorities have recovered five bodies and shifted 10 injured to hospital,” said Bilal Faizi, a spokesman for the provincial Rescue 1122 emergency service, adding that the rescue operation was ongoing.
Police said the attacker blew himself up inside the house during the ceremony and that the bomber’s head had been recovered, confirming it was a suicide attack.
Several members of the local peace committee were present at the time, raising fears the toll could rise.
District Police Officer Sajjad Ahmed Sahibzada said authorities had launched an investigation into the incident, while security forces sealed off the area.
Militant attacks have surged in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after the Taliban returned to power in neighboring
Afghanistan in 2021, with the administration in Islamabad blaming the Afghan government for “facilitating” cross-border attacks targeting Pakistani civilians and security forces. However, Kabul has repeatedly denied the allegation.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also seen frequent intelligence-based operations by security forces targeting suspected militants.
No group has immediately claimed responsibility for Friday’s attack.
