President says Pakistan’s Hindu community contributions across all avenues have enriched our country
A combination picture of President Asif Ali Zardari (L) and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (R). Photo: File
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday extended Diwali greetings to the Hindu community in Pakistan and around the world, reaffirming their commitment to protecting minority rights and promoting religious harmony.
In separate messages on X, both the president and the prime minister highlighted the Hindu community’s contributions to national development and called for equal citizenship, religious freedom, and peaceful coexistence.
President Zardari said Diwali symbolised the “triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and hope over despair”, adding that its message of “compassion and renewal” reminded people of their responsibility to bring light into the lives of others through kindness, understanding and care.
“Pakistan’s Hindu community is an integral part of our national life. Its contributions to education, healthcare, business, public service, social welfare, arts and culture have enriched our country,” he said.
Paying tribute to the community’s contributions, the president reaffirmed that “Pakistan belongs equally to all its citizens”.
Message from President Asif Ali Zardari on the Occasion of Diwali
On the joyous occasion of Diwali, I extend my warm greetings to the Hindu community in Pakistan and around the world.
The festival of lights celebrates the symbolism of triumph of good over evil, light over… pic.twitter.com/jE6rL9ecp4
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) November 7, 2026
Referring to the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, he said the country’s founder had envisioned a state where “faith, caste or creed” would not become a barrier to equal citizenship and rights.
“We must honour that vision by ensuring that every citizen can practise their faith freely, live in dignity and enjoy equal protection under the law,” he said.
President Zardari described the promise of equal citizenship as a “sacred national commitment”, saying the Pakistan Peoples Party’s tradition, carried forward by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, called for defending that promise “without fear or favour”.
“No Pakistani should ever have to prove their belonging because of their faith. This country is their home, its freedoms are their right, and its future is theirs to shape,” he said.
The president also called for strengthening the bonds that united Pakistanis by sharing in one another’s celebrations, standing together during difficult times and rejecting “prejudice and discrimination”.
“Our diversity is not our weakness but a great strength,” he said, adding that protecting the rights of religious minorities was a “shared responsibility”.
Expressing his good wishes for those celebrating the festival, President Zardari said he hoped Diwali would bring “joy to your homes, comfort to those facing difficulties and renewed hope for the year ahead”.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended his “heartfelt felicitations and warmest wishes” to the Hindu community across the world, particularly those residing in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s Message on the Occasion of Diwali, 8 November 2026.
On the joyous and auspicious occasion of Diwali, I extend my heartfelt felicitations and warmest wishes to the Hindu community across the world, particularly those residing in Pakistan.…
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) November 7, 2026
In a message issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, he said Diwali symbolised the triumph of light over “the darkness of hatred, intolerance and despair”, while conveying a “profound message” of peaceful coexistence in human relations and social life.
“The Hindu community of Pakistan is a valued and integral part of our national fabric. Its invaluable contributions to the social, cultural and economic development of our country are worthy of the highest appreciation,” he said.
The prime minister said Pakistan took “immense pride” in its religious and cultural diversity, describing the different traditions within society as a “valuable social asset”.
He said the Constitution guaranteed the protection of minorities’ religious and civil rights, while the government remained “firmly committed” to safeguarding the rights, dignity and religious freedoms of all citizens, irrespective of their religion, faith, colour or ethnicity.
“Promoting religious harmony, mutual unity and respect is our shared responsibility,” he said.
PM Shehbaz said the government’s collective resolve was to build a “peaceful, inclusive and prosperous nation”, ensuring equal educational and economic opportunities for all citizens.
He urged people to renew their commitment to fostering “interfaith harmony”, strengthening fraternity and brotherhood, and working towards a future founded on “peace, tolerance and mutual understanding”.
The prime minister also expressed hope that Pakistani Hindus celebrating Diwali would enjoy the festival’s traditions and share its message of “peace, goodwill, happiness, prosperity and hope” with society.
