Like other parts of the world, the Hindu community is celebrating Holi (the festival of colours) across Pakistan today (Monday).

Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Amir Ahmed, in a statement, said arrangements had been made for celebrating Holi in different cities.

He said Pakistan is providing complete religious freedom to its minorities.

“As per the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the ETPB is providing facilities [to Hindus] to exercise their religious beliefs,” the chairman said.

The official ceremony for Holi in Lahore would be arranged at Krishna Temple on Ravi Road at 6pm on Tuesday, while an event is to be held at Balmiki Temple, Neela Gumbund, with zeal and fervour.

Similar ceremonies are planned in Rawalpindi and at the recently-inaugurated Shivala Teja Temple, Sialkot.

In Sindh, which houses the majority of the Hindu population in Pakistan, the main ceremony will be arranged at historical Sadhu Bela Temple in Sukkur. It is the same temple where the Hindus from India gathered to mark the Teerath Asthan annual religious rite.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the main Holi ceremony will be arranged at Shiv Mandir in Mansehra.

Channel 24 reported that the Hindu community in Dera Bugti, Balochistan, celebrated the day with enthusiasm while praying for the prosperity and progress of Pakistan.

Holi wishes

Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted, “Wishing all our Hindu community a very happy and peaceful Holi, the festival of colour.”

He extended his wishes to the Hindu community that is actually a first major festival of the Hindu year.

https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1236849622687068161

Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif too extended his warm wishes to the Hindu community, saying, “We will never forget the role of minorities in the formation of Pakistan.”

Separately, young activist and lawyer Arun Kumar Kundnani told www.24newshd.com that “I wish everyone a happy and colourful day of Holi. May the splash of colours humanise our identity, bring prosperity and love all around. May the canvas of lives be painted with beautiful colours of harmony and peace. Hope the day imbue us in one colour of humanity.”

He said, “Holi is not about drenching colours only but to reconcile differences among ourselves, the victory of good over evil and acceptance of authentic self.”