Sindh is observing a public holiday to celebrate the Hindu festival of ‘Holi’ on Thursday.
This marks the first time the Hindu “festival of colours” is being officially recognised and celebrated in the Muslim majority country.
The federal parliament had already passed a non-binding resolution that called for the observation of Hindu and Christian holidays.
The ancient Hindu festival of Holi, which heralds the end of winter and the victory of good over evil, is marked with a national public holiday in India and sees revellers pour onto the streets.
Celebrated mainly in India, Nepal and other countries with large Hindu populations, it falls on the last full moon of winter.
Read More: Sindh notifies public holiday on March 24 to mark Holi
Former Pakistani president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari felicitated Hindu community of Pakistan on eve of Holi.
“May the celebrations today also usher in peace, prosperity and joy not only in the lives of Hindus but in the lives of all people,” he said in a message. “The festival of Holy symbolises the triumph of good over evil and of light over darkness.”
“The underlying message of this symbolism is that instead of bemoaning the darkness we should light a candle and instead of bemoaning hatred we should plant the seeds of love,” Zardari said.
“I take this opportunity to assure our Hindu brethren and indeed all non Muslim minorities that the PPP stands by them in their struggle against religious apartheid.”