President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday extended greetings to the Sikh community in Pakistan and around the world on the joyous occasion of Besakhi, which is a symbol of Pakistan’s beauty in its cultural and religious diversity.
In his message, President Zardari said the Sikh community was playing a prominent role in the development and prosperity of Pakistan.
The president emphasized that the constitution of Pakistan provided complete religious freedom, equal rights, and protection to minorities.
He also reiterated the government’s commitment to upholding the principles of interfaith harmony, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence and prayed for the happiness, progress, and safety of the Sikh community.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended his warm greetings to Sikhs living in Pakistan and around the world on the joyous occasion of Besakhi celebrated on Monday. “This festive occasion marks the ripening of the Rabi harvest—a time of great joy for farmers as they reap the fruits of their hard labour,” he said in his message on the occasion.
The prime minister said that the festival also served as a reminder of the enduring spirit of hope, unity, and renewal inspiring and uniting our communities and forming the strength and soul of our great nation.
He wished that the Besakhi festival brings “prosperity to every field, peace to every heart, and progress to every corner of Pakistan.”
”Together, let us move forward with renewed energy and purpose, inspired by the spirit of Besakhi, to build a brighter, more inclusive, and stronger tomorrow, the prime minister said and greeted Sikhs in Punjabi language saying “Saareya nu Vaisakhi diyan vadhaiyan” translated as ” Vaisakhi greetings to all.”
CM felicitates Sikh community
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed her heartfelt congratulations to the Sikh community on the blissful occasion of Besakhi, saying that Besakhi is the hallmark of Punjab’s unique culture.
In her message, the CM offered greetings to the Sikh brothers and sisters who have come here to celebrate this festival. “I am a proud Punjabi after my identity as a Pakistani first. Punjab lives in my heart. Every person of Punjab equally shares the joy and happiness of Besakhi. May God protect the happiness of Besakhi forever,” she added.
“Besakhi starts with the harvest of the golden crop of wheat with a sickle on the drum beat, spreading joy and happiness around. We are starting to officially celebrate this Punjabi festival ‘Besakhi,” she announced and added that special ceremonies of Besakhi had been organized in Hasan Abdal, Nankana Sahib, Kartarpur and Lahore for the Sikh community coming from all over the world to celebrate this festival. Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that the Punjab government was focusing on providing best environment and facilities to Sikh pilgrims for their religious and cultural tourism.