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KARACHI: In an unprecedented move, the government of Sindh on Saturday notified Mar 24 as a public holiday throughout the province to mark the occasion of Holi – a religious festival of the Hindu community.
A spokesman for the Chief Minister House told Dawn.com that in the past, only the Hindu community was given a holiday on Holi.
“This is the first time Holi has been declared a public holiday anywhere in Pakistan.”
The move comes days after the National Assembly adopted a resolution to take steps to declare Holi, Diwali and Easter as holidays for minorities.
The resolution moved independently by PML-N MNA Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani called for national holidays on Diwali, Holi and Easter.
But despite the passage of the resolution in the NA, no notification was issued by the federal interior ministry officially declaring holidays on Holi, Diwali and Easter.
Holi, a popular Hindu spring festival ─ also termed as the festival of colours ─ is observed in Pakistan at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month.
Revellers spray coloured powder and water on each other, dance, and distribute sweets during Holi celebrations.
Explore: Holi celebrated in Barsana
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (144) Closed
Mar 19, 2016 10:30pm
Very good decision.
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Mar 19, 2016 10:35pm
I am happy beyond words today for Pakistan. Finally, we are coming back full circle. This is what Jinnah said after partition.
"You are free, you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or cast or creed — that has nothing to do with the business of the State ... Now I think we should keep that in front of us as our ideal and you will find that in course of time Hindus would cease to be Hindus and Muslims would cease to be Muslims, not in the religious sense, because that is the personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense as citizens of the State”
Aug 11, 1947
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Mar 19, 2016 10:36pm
Really good step
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Mar 19, 2016 10:39pm
The inept,incompetent and corrupt Sindh Government has found another novel way to facilate the Sindh Government employees to sleep at home.As per statistics available on Internet approx 6% of Sindh population of approx 54 million are Hindus.It can never happen in any other country other than a corrupt government.
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Mar 19, 2016 10:40pm
Good move
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Mar 19, 2016 10:45pm
good decision!
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Mar 19, 2016 10:48pm
wonderful wonderful. we are all citizens of Pakistan and religion should not play any role in our citizenship.
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Mar 19, 2016 10:53pm
This is the right decision, even though it is a bit late.
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Mar 19, 2016 10:54pm
Excellent and enlightened decision towards humanism. Thank you, Sindh Government.
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Mar 19, 2016 10:55pm
What a nonsense!
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Mar 19, 2016 10:56pm
Its ok to give the hindu community a holiday but declaring a public holiday makes no sense as we already have one of the highest holidays in a year. Instead of increasing more days off they should cut off the number of holidays
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Mar 19, 2016 11:00pm
good move ...thats humanity and equal justice
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Mar 19, 2016 11:00pm
Thanks Sindh Govt and Sindhis
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Mar 19, 2016 11:00pm
Wonderful! Nice gesture. Appreciable act of Sindh government.
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Mar 19, 2016 11:01pm
Looks like change in Pakistan is real.
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Mar 19, 2016 11:01pm
Happy holi to pakistani hindus.
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Mar 19, 2016 11:03pm
I'm from India and would like to thank Pak Govt. for a good gesture. #Respect.
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Mar 19, 2016 11:06pm
Good move to recognise the rights of minorities.
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Mar 19, 2016 11:06pm
Thank you Pakistan for declaring Holi as a holiday for Hindus of Pakistan.
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Mar 19, 2016 11:08pm
A very welcome step indeed by Pakistan Government!
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Mar 19, 2016 11:11pm
Great!
We have holidays for all religious people.
I welcome the sindh govt announcement
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Mar 19, 2016 11:11pm
Nice to see Pakistan attempting to join the world order. Keep it up.
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Mar 19, 2016 11:12pm
This is wonderful! Holidays should unite and never differentiate between minority holiday or majority holiday. Sindh govt has shown the way!
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Mar 19, 2016 11:12pm
Great. Nice to see the country moving towards sanity.....
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Mar 19, 2016 11:16pm
Wow....Now this is interesting....
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Mar 19, 2016 11:17pm
is it true? Festivals are for all to enjoy , Congrats Sindh Govt.
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Mar 19, 2016 11:18pm
Something to cheer
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Mar 19, 2016 11:19pm
Great News!!Way to Go Sindh! Implement it inPunjab Baloch KpK and other provinces. Show to the world that Pakistan is a pluralist society and respect other faiths. Step in the right direction.
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Mar 19, 2016 11:19pm
Very happy. We in India have so much freedom. We celebrate all festivals. Islam enjoys the most freedom in India. So my request to Pakistan is please give freedom to minorities.
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Mar 19, 2016 11:22pm
That's a very good move.
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Mar 19, 2016 11:27pm
Better late than never
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Mar 19, 2016 11:34pm
Awesome
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Mar 19, 2016 11:34pm
Brother in arms!!
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Mar 19, 2016 11:36pm
Fantastic to see minorities being given public space and respect and it is so very very important for the future of a stable and progressive pakistan. I only hope it is not too late. Best wishes.
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Mar 19, 2016 11:40pm
Hindus constitute around 1.5% of Pakistan's whole population and out of these more than 90% live in Sindh so it make sense for Sindh to have this holiday.
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Mar 19, 2016 11:40pm
Kudos to Sindh Government on this historic decision. It shouldn't be reversed at all.
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Mar 19, 2016 11:48pm
Excuse me! and Why? Just total ridiculous.
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Mar 19, 2016 11:50pm
Nice move. Happy holi to Pakistan as well.
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Mar 19, 2016 11:52pm
Happy Holi to all Indians and Pakistanis . Hope this festive colors bring back the glory of sindh rich ethnic culture and religious harmony .
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Mar 19, 2016 11:53pm
Dear Sindh Govt.... Thanks a lot.... In India we celebrate Eid... Moharam.... It means a lot that you celebrate Holi..... Respect _/\_
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Mar 19, 2016 11:57pm
Indeed a good step. But they should also have continued the Iqbal day holiday
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Mar 19, 2016 11:58pm
A great move by Sindh to integrate all communities. A more open and accommodating society.
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Mar 20, 2016 12:01am
The Government of Sindh is incapable of doing any positive work, why not enjoy public holidays of Britian, American, Indian besides their own.
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Mar 20, 2016 12:02am
Ood move, every citizen should feel that whole nation is happy WITH them, and celebrating their happiness.
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Mar 20, 2016 12:08am
These holidays should not be national holidays. Only for those whose belief it is. For occasions affecting 4 million people of the country, 50 million people of the province are given a holiday. Holidays cost the nation, trade and revenues. It's a serious business not a political business. Silly and nonsensical.
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Mar 20, 2016 12:08am
we need more such steps to make Pakistan a state which is for all
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Mar 20, 2016 12:09am
Very good gesture.Time has arrived now for both India and Pakistan to encourage business& people to visit countries with relax visa rules.
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Mar 20, 2016 12:17am
Excellent job.
First step. Lot has to be done.
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Mar 20, 2016 12:28am
Great move! Way to go Pakistan!!!
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Mar 20, 2016 12:30am
It was due for decades. Anyways a positive gesture of solidarity with minorities,
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Mar 20, 2016 12:31am
Public holiday is wrong and a waste of an otherwise working day
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Mar 20, 2016 12:37am
Nice gesture.
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Mar 20, 2016 12:39am
Good step. Should be encouraged
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Mar 20, 2016 12:40am
Well done Sindh Government. This shows your tolerance and flexibility. Let's hope people with all religions live in harmony.
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Mar 20, 2016 12:47am
Awesome.. Lots of good moves by Pakistan!!hope Pakistan moves chaos to development !! Love from India
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Mar 20, 2016 12:52am
Is eid a public holiday in India UK US France Germany Australia. It seems Sindh only sees progress in giving holidays.
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Mar 20, 2016 01:11am
Thank you sindh government, we celebrate Eid, ramzan, etc so why can't minorities get holidays for their beliefs. Make pakistan racism free.
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Mar 20, 2016 01:26am
Nice move
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Mar 20, 2016 01:30am
Great example of tolerance. Neighbors should learn a lesson.
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Mar 20, 2016 01:57am
Yes-minorities can be happy now.
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Mar 20, 2016 02:06am
Highly appreciable move but I feel we are a too "Holiday Happy Nation" especially Sindh. In this era, where nations are progressing at light's speed, the loss of a working day cannot be over emphasized.
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Mar 20, 2016 02:11am
A very bold step taken by the Govt of Sindh. Others should follow.
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Mar 20, 2016 02:12am
Very nice.
Good move by the PPP.
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Mar 20, 2016 02:25am
Beautiful. Let's celebrate our diversity.
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Mar 20, 2016 02:48am
All other provinces and the federal government should follow this leadership step taken by the Sindh government. These steps are essential towards creating harmony in the nation and to make minorities feel that they have equal rights as well as equal respect in the country.
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Mar 20, 2016 03:12am
Excellent move
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Mar 20, 2016 03:15am
Awesome. Holi, Diwali, and Basant are not just festivals for minorities. They are a part of our culture and heritage and should be celebrated by everyone.
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Mar 20, 2016 03:25am
People and goverment both great in taking holiday . It is ok to give upto school level so kids know and respect other religions also but public holiday that's too much.
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Mar 20, 2016 03:29am
very good move . Hope this will defeat fanatics.
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Mar 20, 2016 03:36am
A welcome move - Regards from across the border
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Mar 20, 2016 03:37am
As an Indian born Sindhi I am happy to hear this.
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Mar 20, 2016 03:42am
Sindh Govt took the first initiative ,the Federal Govt is in the line,and expected to issue notification soon.Now almost all main events are covered as per gazetted holidays in Pakistan.We had been long following the traditions in our weddings exactly like in Hindu traditions in India.And now a person coming from India on Holi,Dewali,or Easter days will find holiday in Pakistan and vice versa,this will further bring closer the two neighbors,and those people who often argue there is no difference between Pakistan and India will further get their perception strengthened.
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Mar 20, 2016 03:48am
Finally some badly needed progression!
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Mar 20, 2016 04:08am
Good job!!
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Mar 20, 2016 04:14am
Fantastic.
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Mar 20, 2016 05:02am
Good rare move by Sindh Government. Let's not be divided based on religion, ethnicity or language. We're all Pakistanis.
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Mar 20, 2016 05:05am
Congratulations Pakistan for getting back to cultural roots of collective well being. I hope this move will bring back progress and prosperity by unwinding our hearts and minds for the needs of fellow Pakistani citizens. I hope we will soon be able to discard the word 'minority' to make every citizen feel equal contributor and benefactor of their country.
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Mar 20, 2016 05:15am
Sind Government is only capable of taking such cosmetic steps, what have they done for starving people and those kids who are unable to start schooling due to lack of facilities or financial constraints. Not against any religious celebrations but there are more important and critical issues that need to be addressed urgently or future generations will be continue to suffer.
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Mar 20, 2016 05:20am
Good move. Happy Holi to all Pakistani brothers and sisters. May Holi add colours to your lives and bring happiness.
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Mar 20, 2016 05:36am
Yes, why not
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Mar 20, 2016 05:39am
"Honesty is the best policy, but to some, second best".
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Mar 20, 2016 05:42am
Good step, minorities should also be given similar respect.
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Mar 20, 2016 05:43am
Bravo! Congratulations to Sindhi Hindu brothers and sisters...!
Thanks for upholding the message of Sufisim by Shah Bhittai, Lal Qalandar and Sachchal Sarmast.
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Mar 20, 2016 05:47am
say what you want about PPP but you have to give them credit for their consistent track record of progressive legislation
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Mar 20, 2016 06:20am
Good, being a minority does not take away their loyalty with the country. These type of steps makes them part of the society and love more with their country.
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Mar 20, 2016 06:31am
Good going
In India Muslims have more holidays than Hindus.Does it surprise you?
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Mar 20, 2016 06:33am
Step in the right direction
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Mar 20, 2016 07:12am
Don't want to be the show stopper but.. We are abolishing Iqbal Day and introducing Holi instead? Wow!
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Mar 20, 2016 07:18am
|Easter and Christmas in Pakistan are never Public holidays. 25th December is a public holiday only because of it being the Quaid's Birthday and Easter always falls on a Sunday which is generally a holiday.
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Mar 20, 2016 07:21am
@prada Yes India celebrates and observes a holiday on Eid. And trust me, Pakistan will prosper when it's people (including minorities) are happy.
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Mar 20, 2016 07:39am
Another senseless act. In no country, public holidays are announced for minorities. It will open a pandora box with all minorities asking for public holidays to celebrate their own days
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Mar 20, 2016 08:10am
@prada
Yes Sir, Eid, Bakri Eid both are public holidays. So are Easter, Christmas and various other Jain, Sikh, Jew, Zoroastrian festivals.
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Mar 20, 2016 08:13am
Good decision.we will celebrate the occassion with them.
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Mar 20, 2016 08:13am
Good on you Pakistan. It's heartening you're beginning to to recognise the rich vedic/hindu traditions and legacy of your land .... better late than never.
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Mar 20, 2016 08:29am
We should make Nowroz, Christmas, Easter and Hannukah holidays as well for our minorities
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Mar 20, 2016 08:35am
Should be for hindu community.
Sind govt is the most oblivious of all about the pathetic situation accross the province.
To improve vision of PPP govt, work
And more hard worl is the only solution.
I feel this act is just s cover to show a more liberal face of PPP govt.... who dont believe actually in delivering....otherwise .. building roads, hospitals, providing water were needed more..
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Mar 20, 2016 08:37am
Any day off for Pakistanis will pass NA Senate Etc.
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Mar 20, 2016 08:49am
Congratulations Pakistan, especially Sindh Govt. for moving towards secular democracy. Hope this is not a political gimmick to attract votes of minorities like the case in India. Multi Culture environment is the best way of understanding humanity that is the way to live, peaceful and share values in this small world.
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Mar 20, 2016 08:51am
Why it's a public holiday?
It does not make sense.
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Mar 20, 2016 08:55am
My opinion is that Christmas, Easter and Diwali should also be public holidays. Live and let live............
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Mar 20, 2016 08:58am
@Indian Sindh Govt.
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Mar 20, 2016 09:04am
Best decision by Sindh government since independece
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Mar 20, 2016 09:22am
I think holiday for Hindu minority was sufficient. No need for a general holiday. Sindh PM took this decision in haste this will back fire the PPP government
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Mar 20, 2016 09:45am
Pakistan is really changing... Kudos.
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Mar 20, 2016 10:10am
Sindh Government doesn't believe in work and have now added one more holiday. The best is to send this government on permanent holidays
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Mar 20, 2016 10:19am
Congratulations Pakistan. Now you will also be colourful.
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Mar 20, 2016 10:32am
Holiday for minorities is understandable but a public holiday is just stupid... Where do we stop now as every sect will be demanding a public holiday on their events and at this rate holidays will become more than working days in sindh
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Mar 20, 2016 10:35am
Thanks Sindh, Thanks Pakistan.
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Mar 20, 2016 10:45am
Well what about the holiday of 9th November, Allama Iqbal Day???
And will the Sindh Govt also give holiday on the upcoming Easter as well???
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Mar 20, 2016 10:46am
A positive step reflecting how an enlightened and moderate state cares about its minorities and their rights. It also highlights the democratic values the society stands for. The move would certainly receive appreciation by the International Community boosting Pakistan's image.
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Mar 20, 2016 10:57am
Thanks pakistan.. luv from New Delhi
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Mar 20, 2016 11:20am
a good news after partition.
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Mar 20, 2016 11:25am
@prada check list on holidays in Indian, you will get your answer.
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Mar 20, 2016 11:26am
Its right of every minority to have holiday on such occasions... but why its public holiday?? What we can expect from these senseless people...!!!
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Mar 20, 2016 11:35am
Government 1st Job is give Protection to All peoples including Minorities which Gov has miserably failed....
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Mar 20, 2016 12:01pm
@prada;
'Is eid a public holiday in India'
I do believe both eids are public holidays in India.
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Mar 20, 2016 12:09pm
This is the sign of cohesion in the society and among the dignitaries in parliament having religious diversity . Holidays on such religious events are sign of respect but holidays on other occasions or national occasions are time waste . like in our neighbor country China they order the employees to work overtime and also the educational institutions are not closed . They celebrate these festivals by giving extra time to their country .
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Mar 20, 2016 12:12pm
The Sindh Government employees are routinely on holidays all year round,only those are present where there is financial benefits under the table for the employees.So it doesn't make any difference. Long live government of Sindh.
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Mar 20, 2016 12:13pm
@Tsmilselvan
It was a holidays for Hindus before, now it is holiday for everyone.
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Mar 20, 2016 12:13pm
In Sindh government every other day is a holiday
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Mar 20, 2016 12:26pm
Good. Change of heart at last. Minorities are also your citizens and should have right to enjoy their festivals with freedom.
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Mar 20, 2016 12:36pm
Lot of people complaining that in Sindh every other day is holiday, which means Sindh is the laziest and most inefficient place. Whereas according to UNO, Sindh is the only province is Pakistan that has productivity of world level. Recently Karachi (Sindh's capital) was named as one of the top 100 workaholic cities of the world,no other city from Pakistan is even in top 500!
A very very good decision to integrate all the communities! Happy Holi, we all will celeberate
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Mar 20, 2016 12:43pm
@prada yes eid is public holiday in india
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Mar 20, 2016 12:50pm
One step towards puristic society
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Mar 20, 2016 01:14pm
What about Diwali and other celebration Indians enjoys... Diwali or the festival of lights is celebrated with much pomp and show in various regions across India. The name 'Deepavali' literally means an 'array of lights'; the festival marks the triumph of good over evil. When the diyas are alighted their glow illuminates even the darkest of nights which signifies the enlightenment of soul and the triumph of good over evil. It is about overcoming the darkness of ignorance and propagating the light of knowledge. The philosophy is much more needed in Pakistan....the triumph of good over evil.
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Mar 20, 2016 01:33pm
Giving them this holidays actually benefits you as well......now give them the same rights / status that you enjoy and they deserve and envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam.
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Mar 20, 2016 01:35pm
@Ashish Kjriwal no in India eid is not a public holiday. It is only for muslims. Similarly holi and diwali should only be a holiday for hindus in Pakistan. Trust me this is more practical and tolerant.
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Mar 20, 2016 02:16pm
Sign of changing Pakistan. Good for country. Happy Holi to pakistanis and my Indian friends. There's more colorful in diversity. Jai Hind.
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Mar 20, 2016 02:17pm
Congrats to PPP Govt. Nice move.
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Mar 20, 2016 02:44pm
@prada - Eid is a public Holiday in India...
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Mar 20, 2016 05:22pm
I personally think that we should have following public holidays:
Independence day (1 day), Quaid's b'day and X'mas (1 day), Eid (3 days for each of the eid so 6 days in total), Diwali (1 day), Nauroz (1 day so that agha khani, bahai and paris community also gets covered), Ashura (2 days), Rabi ul Awal (1 day) and 27th Ramadan (1 day). This will cover all major muslim and non muslim holidays.
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Mar 20, 2016 05:34pm
Well done, Sindh Govt! A marvellous move.
To all those condemning this decision by Sindh Govt.
Happy Holi!
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Mar 20, 2016 06:21pm
Thank you Sindh.
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Mar 20, 2016 07:08pm
Finally one good decision by the Sindh government after being in power since 2008.
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Mar 20, 2016 07:25pm
Holi is a spring festival, celebrating the arrival of spring in the South Asian region. Hindus celebrate festivals based on the seasons. Diwali is a celebration after the bounty the agricultural harvest.
These so called 'Hindu' festivals are really South Asia related festivals.
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Mar 20, 2016 08:07pm
This broad mindedness will help Pakistan grow with peace and prosperity and preserve humanity.
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Mar 20, 2016 08:24pm
@TARIQ Christians live in majority in Punjab so its a duty of Punjab to benefit Christians. This is for Hindus who live in majority in Sindh province.
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Mar 20, 2016 09:06pm
No doubt it is a good decision by the local government but in my experience some countries allow Minorities to observer their festival or religious days. Only people from that particular minority can get holiday rest work.
Therefore, not only for Hindu festival or religious day also for other minorities holiday should be allowed while rest (Muslims) should work as usual.
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Mar 20, 2016 09:58pm
Super Cool News From Pakistan.
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Mar 21, 2016 08:08am
@prada
Yes Eid is a holiday in India
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Mar 21, 2016 09:48am
@TARIQ ummm... Easter is on Sunday anyway...
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Mar 21, 2016 12:04pm
Bravo, Government of Sindh! Definitely another step forward for Pakistan!
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Mar 21, 2016 12:33pm
Great step. Happy Holi.
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Mar 21, 2016 09:37pm
@prada You can check it your self there are three Gazetted holidays on the occassion of Eids,Muharrum and you can under stand what Gazetted holiday means and in addition there are two restricted holidays which any employee can avaail according to his will.
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