President, PM mark Diwali with pledge to protect minority rights

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended greetings to Pakistan’s Hindu community on Diwali and reiterated the state’s commitment to safeguarding minority rights. In his message, the president said the festival symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and reflects values of peace, compassion and harmony shared across faiths.

Zardari emphasised that Pakistan’s Constitution guarantees equal rights and complete religious freedom for all citizens, echoing Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision of a country where minorities enjoy equality and opportunity. He praised the Hindu community’s contributions in education, commerce and public service, and called for renewed resolve toward tolerance and coexistence.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his own message, highlighted the strength derived from Pakistan’s diversity and urged citizens to look to a future defined by unity and positivity. He reaffirmed his government’s resolve to uphold Jinnah’s principles, noting the active role minorities play in national life. Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori also conveyed greetings, underscoring interfaith harmony and the importance of protecting the rights of all communities.