After India-Pakistan Conflict, Pakistan Takes Historic Step Toward Interfaith Respect by Hosting Guru Purnima at Jain Temples

After India-Pakistan Conflict, Pakistan Takes Historic Step Toward Interfaith Respect by Hosting Guru Purnima at Jain Temples

 By Ali Imran Chattha | July 10 LAHORE

 In an unprecedented gesture of interfaith goodwill following recent tensions between India and Pakistan, the Government of Pakistan on Thursday facilitated the observance of Guru Purnima at several historic Jain temples across the country. The initiative, organized under the auspices of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), is being widely lauded as a significant stride toward promoting interreligious harmony and fostering cultural diplomacy in the region. The celebrations were held at four major Jain heritage sites: the Mahaveer Bhagwan Jain Temple in Lahore, Parasnath Bhagwan Bhabra Mandir in Gujranwala, the Samadhi of Acharya Shri Atma Ram Ji, also in Gujranwala, and the ancient Jain Temple in Tharparkar, Sindh. These sacred sites, once part of a thriving Jain community before the 1947 Partition, today stand as historical landmarks in a country where no practicing followers of Jainism remain. The event was organized in response to a formal request by Ashwani Jain, Secretary General of the Jain Heritage Foundation in Delhi, who praised the initiative as a “remarkable gesture of goodwill.” He emphasized the deeper symbolic meaning of the occasion in the aftermath of the recent India-Pakistan conflict. “This moment is not just a religious milestone, but a diplomatic one,” he remarked. “We hope this marks the beginning of more peaceful cultural engagements between the two countries.” Speaking on behalf of the Pakistani authorities, Saif Ullah Khokhar, ETPB’s Secretary of Shrines, highlighted the broader intent behind the celebration. “We are committed to preserving sacred sites of all communities, regardless of their current population,” Khokhar said. “

This initiative reflects the government’s minority-inclusive policy and ongoing efforts to safeguard non-Muslim religious heritage.” Adding to the significance of the occasion, Shri Krishna Sharma, head of the Pakistan Hindu Temple Management Committee, also participated in the observance. He noted that members of the Hindu community in Pakistan joined the prayers and ceremonies with full reverence. “Although Jain Dharma has no followers in Pakistan today, we still chose to honour their places of worship,” he said. “This is our way of showing the world what respect for interfaith really looks like in practice.” The rare observance has drawn praise from religious scholars, interfaith activists, and civil society groups who view the event as a welcome step during a period of heightened geopolitical tension. Observers have described the occasion as a powerful example of how spiritual diplomacy can offer common ground even amid political divides. Representatives from the Jain Heritage Foundation expressed optimism that such symbolic events could pave the way for the promotion of religious tourism, as well as improved visa access for Jain monks and pilgrims wishing to visit ancestral shrines in Pakistan. As Guru Purnima 2025 draws to a close, many believe this year’s celebration may be remembered not just as a traditional day of spiritual reflection, but as a pivotal moment in cross-border dialogue and regional reconciliation — a moment when ancient stones echoed with new hope for interfaith respect. ---