Easter, Hindu festivals officially become national holidays in Pakistan
Easter, Holi, and Diwali have been officially declared as national holidays in Pakistan on Tuesday after Parliament adopted a new resolution.
The resolution marks the first time in 68 years that Pakistan's religious minorities including Christians and Hindus will get to celebrate their important festivals as national holidays. Hindu lawmaker Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani is the one who moved the resolution to make Easter, Holi, and Diwali national holidays, according to India Times.
For Vankwani, the resolution will contribute to Pakistan's image of religious tolerance. He noted that the U.S. and India also observe such holidays, the report relays.
The resolution to make the changes received no opposition, allowing the changes to be implemented without any barriers, the Huffington Post reports.
Although Federal Minister for Laws and Justice Pervaiz Rashid said Pakistan already has more holidays than any other country, he still did not oppose the resolution. Instead, he said there should be no discrimination based on faith and religion among Pakistanis. He added that all of them should bear one another's sad and happy times.
"Every citizen is enjoying religious freedom," Rashid declared.
In line with the approval of the resolution, Hindus, Christians, and other members of religious minorities can now take leave during their respective religious festivals, the report adds.
Pir Aminul Hasnat Shah, the State Minister for Religious Affairs, announced that the Interior Ministry has already permitted the heads of federal organizations, institutions, and departments to allow their employees to take leave to celebrate the said festivals.
Pakistan's population is comprised mostly of Muslims. The decision to adopt the resolution is a significant milestone for the country's minorities because it reflects increasing religious tolerance, Time says.
Just 1.6 percent of Pakistan's population are Christian, with Hindus making up roughly 2 percent of the population.