ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari criticized the Taliban for denying Nowruz celebrations in Afghanistan, expressing hope that peace and stability will soon return to the war-affected country.
In his message, shared by his office on X on Friday, he stated: “In our next door Afghanistan where Nowruz has been celebrated for centuries, the illegitimate Taliban regime has deprived the people from even this celebration.”
“To the people of Afghanistan who have suffered so long, I want to convey my special Nowruz greetings and hope that this Nowruz will bring the end of their long night of darkness and doom.”
The president expressed his hope that “on this Nowruz that the war clouds will burn away and sunshine will return with blue skies.”
‘Greetings to all’
The president said, “I extend my greetings to all those celebrating Nowruz in Pakistan and in the many parts of the region where this ancient festival marks the advent of spring.”
“Across Iran, Central Asia, parts of West Asia, South Asia and neighbouring regions, Nowruz has been observed for centuries as the beginning of a new season.”
“It signals the turning of the year in the natural cycle as the day and night, light and darkness not only balance it out but darkness goes in the waning while the light enters the waxing mode,” he said.
“For the communities that observe it, the day has long been associated with renewal, rebirth, rejuvenation and victory of light over darkness and life over death,” President Zardari added.
In his message, he said, “Pakistan is home to a diverse range of cultures, faiths and traditions. Different communities observe their festivals in their own ways, adding to the character of our towns and cities. This diversity has long been part of our national life and remains one of our shared strengths.”
‘Thoughts and prayers’
The president said that “This year, as Nowruz arrives, our thoughts and prayers are also with the people of the region who greet the spring under difficult and painful circumstances.”
“In places where the festival has long symbolised renewal, the season now opens amid the debris of damaged schools and hospitals and the lingering traces of violence.”
President Zardari said, “At a time when spring would normally bring celebration, many families face loss and uncertainty.”
“Spring flowers in some Nowruz regions are covered with falling debris and blood. Gunpowder in these places is overpowering the sweet scent of the Nowruz flowers.”
“As spring begins, I hope this occasion brings peace, stability and hope to all those celebrating the festival,” he said.
PM greets Parsi community
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his message on Nowruz, said, “On this Nowruz Day, I extend my heartfelt greetings to the Parsi community in Pakistan and all those celebrating this day around the world.”
“Nowruz is a symbol of the arrival of spring, new beginnings and new hope. This festival conveys a message of peace and love, friendship, harmony and solidarity between cultures.”
He said, “Pakistan's national identity and Nowruz share values such as respect for cultural diversity, protection of religious freedom and peaceful coexistence.”
The prime minister said that the “Constitution of Pakistan protects the religious practices of all citizens.”
Effective policy measures
Sharif said “effective policy measures have been taken to promote interfaith harmony and religious tolerance in the light of the Constitution of Pakistan.”
“The government has adopted a comprehensive strategy in the form of the Policy on Interfaith Harmony (2025) and the Strategy on Religious Tolerance (2025) to promote religious harmony.”
The prime minister said “the aim of these policy measures is to promote dialogue between religions, establish an effective system of conflict resolution, prevent hate speech and raise awareness of common human values.”
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