provincial leaders extend Diwali greetings, reaffirming mino

Pakistan's provincial leaders extended Diwali greetings to Hindu community, reaffirming their commitment to minority rights, religious freedom and interfaith harmony. Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz highlighted welfare initiatives and landmark legislation to protect minorities and promote equal opportunities Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan CMs, KP governor extend greetings to Hindu community Leaders pledge equal rights, religious freedom and protection of minorities Maryam highlights Special Minority Card, virtual police stations, landmark marriage laws Bugti, Murad stress love, tolerance, brotherhood and peaceful coexistence LAHORE/KARACHI/PESHAWAR/QUETTA: The chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan, along with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor, on Sunday extended heartfelt Diwali greetings to the Hindu community, describing the festival as a symbol of love, brotherhood, peace and light. They reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the religious freedom and equal rights of all religious minorities in Pakistan in line with the vision of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the Constitution. In Lahore, Punjab Minister for Minorities Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora said all religious minorities in Punjab enjoyed religious freedom and equal rights in accordance with the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He was addressing a Diwali celebration organised by the Government of Punjab in collaboration with BARGAD, an organisation for youth development, at a local hotel here on Sunday. The minister extended heartfelt Diwali greetings to the Hindu community and appreciated BARGAD's efforts to promote interfaith harmony, peace and mutual respect. He said promoting love, tolerance, acceptance and peaceful coexistence at the grassroots level was essential to building a harmonious society. The participation of people belonging to different religious communities in one another's festivals reflected the spirit of a peaceful and united Pakistan, he added. Arora said the Punjab government was taking practical measures to protect minority rights, ensure religious freedom and promote interfaith harmony in line with the chief minister's vision. Representatives of the Hindu, Sikh, Christian and Muslim communities, Punjab University students and members of civil society attended the event. Prof Ashok Kumar said the light of diyas symbolised positivity, hope and happiness, while appreciating BARGAD's efforts to promote interfaith harmony over the past 12 years. Jaspreet Singh described the participation of people from different faiths as a reflection of interfaith harmony and appreciated the organisers for arranging a vegetarian dinner to accommodate all participants. BARGAD Executive Director Sabiha Shaheen, Hindu community leader Amar Nath and Farzana Kousar of JWS highlighted the importance of such gatherings in dispelling misconceptions and fostering greater understanding among different religious communities. This Diwali, let us dispel hatred, kindle lamps of love and light: Sindh CM Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah extended Diwali greetings to the Hindu community, saying the festival carried a message of love, brotherhood and light. He said Sindh was the land of Sufi saints, where people belonging to all faiths lived together in peace. Interfaith harmony and tolerance, he remarked, were integral to Sindh's rich and beautiful culture. The chief minister said the Sindh government was committed to protecting the rights of all minority communities residing in the province. He said the Hindu community played a vital role in Pakistan's development, particularly in Sindh. 'This Diwali, let us dispel hatred and kindle the lamps of love and light,' he urged. CM felicitates Hindu community on Diwali Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also extended heartfelt greetings to the Hindu community on Sunday, paying tribute to its contributions to the country's progress and prosperity. In her message, the chief minister reaffirmed the provincial government's commitment to protecting the rights, freedoms and equal representation of Hindu citizens and other minorities in line with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. وزیرِ اعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز شریف کا دیوالی پر ہندو برادری کے نام خصوصی پیغام ۔ @MaryamNSharif https://t.co/YQuJO4f18t — Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) November 8, 2026 Highlighting the government's ongoing welfare initiatives, Maryam Nawaz said financial assistance was being provided through the Special Minority Card, while dedicated Minority Virtual Police Stations had also been established under the Safe Punjab initiative. She also highlighted the province's legislative achievements, saying Punjab had the distinction of approving the country's first Sikh Marriage Act as well as the Hindu Marriage Act. The chief minister said Pakistan was a peaceful bouquet of diverse faiths living in mutual harmony, assuring that the government would continue to safeguard minority rights, preserve cultural diversity and ensure equal opportunities for growth across the province. Bugti reaffirms commitment to minority rights, interfaith harmony Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti also extended heartfelt Diwali greetings to the Hindu community, describing the festival as a symbol of love, brotherhood, peace and hope. He said such celebrations promoted mutual respect, tolerance and harmony among people belonging to different faiths and cultural backgrounds. In a message issued on the occasion, the chief minister highlighted the importance of minority communities in Pakistan's social fabric, saying all minorities were an integral part of the nation and had made valuable contributions to its development and progress. He noted that the Hindu community, in particular, had played a significant role in the country's growth, prosperity and advancement across various sectors. Bugti emphasised that interfaith harmony, religious tolerance and mutual respect were fundamental to building a peaceful and strong society. He reaffirmed that all citizens in Balochistan enjoyed equal rights and religious freedom, irrespective of their faith or beliefs, adding that the provincial government remained committed to safeguarding the lives, property, religious freedoms and constitutional rights of minority communities. The chief minister said the spirit of Diwali encouraged people to rise above prejudice and hatred and embrace the values of love, patience, tolerance and brotherhood. He stressed that promoting these principles was essential to strengthening social cohesion and ensuring peaceful coexistence among diverse communities. Governor felicitates Hindu community on Diwali In a related development, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi extended heartfelt Diwali greetings to the Hindu community, wishing its members happiness, peace and prosperity. In his message, the governor said all religious minorities living in Pakistan were playing an important role in the country's development, prosperity and social harmony. Warmest wishes to the Hindu community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and across Pakistan on the joyous occasion of Diwali. May this festival bring peace, happiness and prosperity to every home. Pakistan belongs to all of us. Our minorities are an integral part of our national fabric, and their rights, dignity, religious freedom and equal citizenship are fundamental to our Constitution and our collective responsibility. We reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding minority rights, strengthening interfaith harmony and building a society rooted in mutual respect, equality and tolerance. — Faisal Karim Kundi (@fkkundi) November 8, 2026 He said the Constitution of Pakistan guaranteed equal rights and religious freedom to all citizens without discrimination on the basis of religion. Kundi said protecting the lives, property, religious freedom and fundamental rights of the Hindu community and other minorities was a constitutional and national responsibility. He reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding minority rights, promoting religious harmony and strengthening interfaith tolerance. 'Pakistan is our common homeland, and people belonging to all religions must work together for the country's progress and stability,' he added.