Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif marked the festival of Diwali on Monday by extending warm greetings and reaffirming his government\u2019s firm commitment to safeguarding minority rights and strengthening national harmony. Addressing a special ceremony that brought together representatives of the Hindu, Christian, and other minority communities, the Prime Minister described Diwali as a \u201ccelebration of light, peace, and tolerance,\u201d symbolizing Pakistan\u2019s rich cultural diversity. Sharif reiterated that every citizen enjoys full constitutional freedom to practice their faith without fear or discrimination, highlighting ongoing efforts to form a National Commission for Minorities and launch new initiatives for scholarships and social inclusion. He called on citizens to stand united \u201cshoulder to shoulder\u201d against hatred and extremism. Minister Kheal Das Kohistani lauded the event as a \u201chistoric and heartening gesture,\u201d appreciating the government\u2019s outreach to minority communities and also commending the military leadership for its balanced approach in security operations. Post-May10 Pakistan, he said is the true Pakistan that has no room for terrorism, extremism and hatred rather is the land of peace, tolerance, interfaith harmony and unity. Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Yousaf Khan said the Diwali celebrations participated by members of different faiths of the minorities have demonstrated Pakistan\u2019s message of peace, unity, tolerance and interfaith harmony. He recited the verses of Holy Quran highlighting the divine commandment that all humans are created from a man and a woman, and bear equal rights in the society. Earlier, Prof Chanchal Nawab of Physics delivered an enlightening lecture on the significance of Diwali as a festival of celebrating victory of good over evil, light over darkness and gives the message of humanity, peace and tolerance. She said, \u201cDiwali is not an event of the past. It is the philosophy of life that gives the message to mankind to strive in times of darkness, injustice and challenges. By embracing the strength of light, the light of peace, harmony, brotherhood and tolerance we can establish the true society envision by Quaid e Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.\u201d Prof Chanchal proudly welcomed the official celebration of Diwali as the symbol of interfaith harmony and true depiction of the fact that Pakistan gives equal rights to all the minorities of the country.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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