Islamabad (TDI): The President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, and the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended greetings to the Sikh community on the occasion of Vaisakhi, in separate messages.
Vaisakhi or Baisakhi, generally known as the spring and harvest festival of the Sikh community, carries a deep religious meaning for the followers of Sikhism.
Sikhs associate April 13 and 14 to the year 1699 when adherents formally joined hands over one religious identity and Sikhism was born. Even prior to that, the harvest festival was still a tradition.
President Zardari acknowledged the religious and cultural freedom that allows people of all faith to celebrated their festivals with freedom, in Pakistan.
He congratulated Sikhs, inside and outside of Pakistan, on this annual celebration and highlighted commitment to interfaith harmony, religious freedom, and peaceful coexistence.
Saareya nu Vaisakhi diyan vadhaiyan!
On the joyous occasion of Vaisakhi, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif extends heartfelt greetings to Sikh brothers and sisters in Pakistan and around the world.
“This festival marks the Rabi harvest and serves as a symbol of hope,… pic.twitter.com/e6OjJ279sL
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) April 14, 2025
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also wished the Sikh community and referred to the spirit of Vaisakhi while wishing well for the whole country.
“This festival marks the Rabi harvest and serves as a symbol of hope, unity, and renewal. May Vaisakhi bring prosperity to our fields, peace to every heart, and progress to every corner of Pakistan.”
He observed that Vaisakhi is the time when the hard work of farmers comes to fruition and the harvest brings collective prosperity to millions of households.
“Let us move forward with unity and purpose to build a brighter and stronger Pakistan,” he said while concluding his message.
Read More: Pakistan Issues Over 6,500 Visas to Sikh Pilgrims from India for Baisakhi Celebrations
In addition, the Minister of State for Religious Affairs, Kheal Das Kohistani, took part in the main festival celebrations at Nankana Sahib.
He rejected the notions that Pakistan is not safe for minorities and welcomed the Sikh Yatrees who have come to Pakistan from India as well as other countries of the world to rejoice in the Vaisakhi celebrations.
He noted that minorities have all the freedom to observe their faith and rituals in Pakistan.
Nuzhat Rana is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
