Web desk: The Sindh government has declared two state holidays for the Hindu community throughout the province on Diwali day.
According to the official notification, the holidays will be observed on Monday, October 20, and Tuesday, October 21, to allow Hindu employees to celebrate the festival with ease and joy.
The holidays apply to Hindu employees working in government, semi-government, and autonomous institutions, as well as those serving in local governments and municipal corporations across Sindh.
The Services, General Administration and Coordination Department (SGA&CD) issued a notification stating that the holidays will apply to all government departments, autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies, and local councils under the Sindh government.
The directive allows Hindu employees across these institutions to take part in Diwali rituals and family gatherings without work-related obligations during the festive days.
Officials said the decision aims to honour the religious and cultural traditions of the Hindu community and enable them to fully participate in their most important festival.
The notification applies equally to urban and rural areas, including district councils, municipal offices, and other local bodies.
The provincial government stated that the move aims to honour Sindh’s cultural and religious diversity while fostering inclusivity and interfaith harmony.
Sindh Announces Two-Day Diwali Holidays
The two consecutive holidays will also allow people to celebrate more freely and visit family members in different districts.
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most significant festivals in Hinduism.
Hindu homes, temples and streets are lit using the traditional diyas (lamps) and colourful lights as a sign to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness.
Celebrated annually in October or November, Diwali lasts for about five days, each with its own customs and rituals.
Sikh and Jain communities also observe the festival, and it has cultural significance to them.
Diwali is celebrated with much zeal in Sindh, especially in Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpur Khas, and Karachi, where the Hindu community is found in large numbers.
The families also come together, pray, eat festive foods, and undergo rituals, making the event a bright element of culture.
