Shehbaz Sharif greets Pakistan's Hindus on Diwali, cites Jinnah's 1947 speech

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has extended warm Diwali greetings to the country's Hindu community. The festival of lights and joy is being celebrated with great enthusiasm across the world, and the message from the prime minister of the neighbouring country came at this time.

In his official message, Sharif warmly praised the important role of Hindus in Pakistan's social, cultural and economic development. He also said Pakistan is proud of its religious and cultural diversity, and that the government is committed to protecting the religious freedom and equal rights of all citizens.

In the special message issued by the Prime Minister's Office, Sharif said plainly that Pakistan's Hindu citizens are not merely a minority. They are a very important and inseparable part of the country's social and cultural fabric, he said, and their contribution to the nation's progress and building is commendable. According to him, whatever a citizen's religion, faith, colour or ethnic identity, respect and equal opportunity are that person's fundamental right.

Sharif said Diwali is the festival of the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. The celebration, he said, inspires peace, a spirit of coexistence and hope for a better future. He therefore appealed in his message that everyone work together to increase mutual harmony and brotherhood in society.

The most discussed part of the statement was its reference to Pakistan's founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Addressing Pakistan's Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947, Jinnah had given a clear message of religious freedom and equal citizenship. Jinnah had said that every citizen of the new country would be fully free to worship and pray according to the religion of their choice, and that the state would not discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion.

Repeating these principles of Jinnah, Sharif said that following Jinnah's ideas is necessary to make Pakistan a peaceful, inclusive and prosperous country. He said only a country that respects all its traditions and diverse cultures can move forward on the path of progress.

Several international human rights organisations have from time to time expressed concern over atrocities against minority communities in Pakistan, especially Hindus and Christians. Sindh province has a large Hindu population. The government there faces continuing criticism over serious problems such as the forced conversion and marriage of minor Hindu girls.

In such circumstances, statements by the prime minister and President Asif Ali Zardari on bringing the Hindu community into the mainstream and guaranteeing their safety are seen as significant from a diplomatic point of view. Experts believe Sharif invoked Jinnah's ideas to send a positive message to minorities at home and around the world.