NA adopts resolution to declare Holi, Dewali, Easter holidays

E-Paper | March 15, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Tuesday adopted a resolution to take steps to declare Holi, Diwali and Easter as holidays for minorities.

The resolution was moved by Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani (PML-N) that, "This house is of the opinion that government should take steps to declare Holi, Diwali and Easter as closed holidays for minorities."

State Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Aminul Hasnat Shah speaking in the house said that the Interior Ministry has already given permission to heads of federal organisations, departments, and institutions to grant leave to minorities on their religious festivals.

If the government adheres to the resolution ─ which it is expected to ─ the Interior Ministry will issue a notification declaring the holiday.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Laws and Justice Pervaiz Rashid said that although he is not opposing the resolution, the number of holidays in Pakistan are more than any other country and the resolution should be reconsidered.

He added that all Pakistanis equally share each others joy and sorrow and that there is no discrimination on basis of religion and faith, adding every citizen is enjoying religious freedom.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousif and Parliamentary Secretary of Interior Minister Maryum Aurangzeb also did not oppose the resolution.

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Fahad

Mar 15, 2016 05:14pm

Good Move. Proud to be Pakistani & proud of my felow pakistani minorites.

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Khalid

Mar 15, 2016 05:17pm

After almost 70 years of independence, we are still considering if these should be declared holidays. The reason, Pakistan has the highest number of holidays is because we, as a nation, do not care about how much business is lost just because of a single day holiday. Holi, Diwali and Easter are recognised holidays and it is no brainer to have these as holidays in Pakistan too.

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Philosopher (from Japan)

Mar 15, 2016 05:25pm

Right move. In the US Muslims can enjoy their festivals like EIDs.

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MSR

Mar 15, 2016 05:59pm

But pakistan already give non muslims off on their holy days e.g. christians r given off on 26 dec (Day after christmas) as well as easter good friday etc. Hindus on Diwali, holi, janmashtami etc. They what is different on this resolution? Are they planning to make these public holidays? If yes then I completely support his step even though I am a Muslim. Non muslims form equal part of our society and they deserve the same rights as muslims do.

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Saleem Hayat

Mar 15, 2016 06:07pm

Great Move. Humanity always First. This is true Islam, respect other faiths to get respect.

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nuzhat shireen

Mar 15, 2016 07:17pm

it will bring soft image about us . good move.

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Bob

Mar 15, 2016 07:20pm

At last Pakistan is slowly trying to become a secular state.

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gul

Mar 15, 2016 08:58pm

Easter falls on Sunday always and Sunday is already a national holiday. Therefore Monday after Easter Sunday be declared holiday as is observed in the Western countries.

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Shaukat Ali Khan

Mar 15, 2016 10:18pm

Let us have 365 days holidays every year except leap year when they should be increased to 366.

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Ali

Mar 15, 2016 11:27pm

@MSR Muslims in the west also benefit from others holidays. A global perspective on this issue may alter your opinion.

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JeeK

Mar 16, 2016 01:16am

feel some pleasure after all it has been accepted in NA without any opposition, Proud to be pakistani.

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Kal

Mar 16, 2016 01:20am

A welcome move. Expected one from NS.

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excuse me

Mar 16, 2016 01:23am

@Philosopher (from Japan) there is no holiday in US on Eid day.

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Abdulla Hussaun

Mar 16, 2016 03:47am

I think respective non Muslim community should be given holiday on their their religious festivals. Ti declare general holiday on such occasion is meaning less.

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M. Emad

Mar 16, 2016 04:46am

Declare Holi, Diwali and Easter as closed holidays for all -- minorities and majorities.

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Khan - Pakistani , USA

Mar 16, 2016 05:17am

If more holidays make us more and democratic then let it be like this

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Zia

Mar 16, 2016 01:05pm

Good move by PML N... Pakistan is shared by multi religious society and we should enjoy their festivities together.. similar to how it is being celebrated in Malaysia.

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MSR

Mar 16, 2016 07:33pm

@Ali I live in Canada and know that we get a lot of respect here (atleast in canada). My question was never to go against this resolution. I whole heatedly support declaring these days as public holidays. My question is that the article says that these will be days off for minorities . And as per my info I do know that minorities already get these days off from Pak govt (u can see the annual holiday gazetteer of Pak govt where these days and many more days are off for respective minorities). If they are planning to make these 3 days national level public holidays then it is fine otherwise what is new as govt already gives these days off to them.

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Mahesh

Mar 17, 2016 02:37pm

Proud to be a pakistani we have freely freedom here to celebrate all our festival.Pakistan zindabad

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Arindam Chakraborty

Mar 17, 2016 08:57pm

Making these days as National holidays will only show the tolerance of Pak peoples towards their minorities, which is definitely doubted in all these years of post-independence. Hindus and Christians enjoy these holidays already as some of you have already said then what is the reason to adopt this resolution again?

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