Pakistan Hindus to get advance salaries ahead of Diwali

Islamabad: Pakistan’s provincial governments have announced advance salaries for Hindu employees ahead of Diwali so they can celebrate the annual religious festival with their families.

Sindh, where most of Pakistani Hindus reside, was the first province to announce the initiative this year. Sindh government has decided to issue November salaries and pensions to government employees of the Hindu community on November 10. The notification regarding the payment of advance salaries was issued by secretary finance on the order of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.

Sindh government said in the notification that the decision has been taken to encourage the Hindu community to celebrate their festival with enthusiasm. The initiative also shows the government’s support and respect for the country’s Hindu minority who represent nearly 1.6 per cent of Pakistan’s population.

Meanwhile, the Balochistan government has also ordered the finance department to release advance salaries and pensions for Hindu staffers by November 10 in view of Diwali.

Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal approved the request of Balochistan Minority Affairs advisor Danesh Kumar to pay advance salaries.

The Hindu community will celebrate the religious festival on November 14.