Pakistani Hindus celebrate Diwali, with PM wishing community on festival of lights

ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: Pakistani Hindus on Sunday celebrated Diwali — also known as Deepavali or the festival of lights — across the country with zeal and fervour, with families and the community decorating their houses and temples with colourful lights.

Special "poojas" were held in different temples while sweets were also distributed among the people during observance of religious festivity of Hinduism.

Diwali is celebrated at the end of every autumn to commemorate the victory of Hindu god Lord Rama — or Ramachandra — over evil Ravana and how he spent 14 years in tranquillity. Celebrated for five days, it also marks the start of the new year of Hindu calendar.

The Pakistani Hindu community also lit earthen lamps in the night and fireworks were also be exhibited to celebrate the festival. Apart from Karachi, Lahore, and other major cities, festivities were also held in Matiari, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Jamshoro, Badin, Sanghar, Hala, Tando Adam, and Shahdadpur.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Imran Khan wished "a happy Diwali" to the Hindu folks in Pakistan as the minority community celebrated its annual festival of lights.

PM Imran extended the greetings to the Hindu citizens on Twitter, writing: "Wishing all our Hindu citizens a happy Diwali."

The minster of human rights, Dr Shireen Mazari also wished the Hindu community on Diwali.

"Wishing a joyous and prosperous Diwali to all those celebrating," she said in her message on Twitter.

Congratulating the Hindu community on Diwali, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail said it was a festival of light and happiness. The Hindu community should specially pray for the prosperity and progress of Pakistan and for independence of held Kashmir.

Ismail said all minorities were completely free to celebrate their religious rituals and festivals in Pakistan, which is why the Hindu community was celebrating its festival with great enthusiasm today.

Also read: Sindh govt announces Monday as Diwali holiday

The provincial minister for excise and taxation, Mukesh Kumar Chawla, also congratulated the Hindu people on Diwali, saying the community had a significant part in the development of Pakistan and, especially, Sindh and they have full freedom to perform their religious rituals.

He said the Hindu community should renew their pledge that they would work hard for the development of Pakistan on the occasion of Diwali.

On the other hand, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari participated in a Diwali celebration held at a Sikh temple in Kashmore wherein he wished the Hindus on their special occasion and cut a cake.