LAHORE (Nazrana Times): Pakistan’s Punjab government, in collaboration with BARGAD, an organisation for youth development, held a Diwali celebration at a local hotel in Lahore to share the Hindu community’s festive joy and promote interfaith harmony, peace and mutual respect.

Provincial Minister for Minorities Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora attended as the special guest. Representatives of Hindu, Sikh, Christian and Muslim communities participated, alongside Punjab University students and members of civil society.

Message of tolerance must reach communities: Arora

Addressing the gathering, Arora extended Diwali greetings to the Hindu community and appreciated BARGAD’s efforts to promote interfaith harmony.

He said spreading love, tolerance, acceptance and peaceful coexistence at the grassroots level was essential to building a harmonious society. People from different faiths celebrating together, he added, reflected the spirit of a peaceful, tolerant and united Pakistan.

Arora said religious minorities in Pakistan were free to practise their faith and celebrate their festivals. He stated that, in accordance with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision, the Punjab government was taking practical measures to protect minority rights, ensure religious freedom and strengthen interfaith understanding.

Traditional lamps mark the opening

The celebration began with the traditional lighting of diyas, followed by a special Diwali prayer and reflections on the festival’s significance.

Professor Ashok Kumar described the light of diyas as a symbol of positivity, hope and happiness. He also appreciated BARGAD’s work to promote interfaith harmony over the past 12 years.

Jaspreet Singh described the participation of different religious communities as a beautiful example of interfaith harmony. He thanked the organisers for arranging a vegetarian dinner that respected participants’ dietary preferences and religious considerations.

Freedom and dignity for every community

BARGAD Executive Director Sabiha Shaheen described the joint celebration as a reflection of the Pakistan envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam. She said the aim was to promote an inclusive and peaceful society where people of every faith could celebrate their religious festivals freely, with dignity and mutual respect.

Hindu community leader Amar Nath extended Diwali greetings and said Pakistan’s Hindu community was free to observe its religious traditions and festivals. He described collective celebrations as a beautiful tradition and concluded his remarks with the slogan “Pakistan Zindabad”.

Farzana Kousar of JWS said such gatherings helped dispel misconceptions between religious communities, improve mutual understanding and strengthen social connections.

Cake-cutting and shared meal conclude celebration

Arora joined members of the Hindu community to cut a Diwali cake. Sweets and fruit were distributed, followed by a special vegetarian dinner.

BARGAD Programme Coordinator Rabia Dar thanked the guests and participants. She reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to continuing initiatives that encourage meaningful participation by people from all religious communities.