Video-Text - Speech of Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto at Diwali celebrations

“Asalam a laikum and Namastay.

Diwali Mubarik,

I am extremely happy to be celebrating Diwali today with my brothers and sisters in Larkana, just like I spent Eid with my brother and sisters in Karachi.

We want a Pakistan that my mother, Quaid-e-Awam and Quaid-e –Azam dreamed of. A Pakistan where Muslim and non Muslims are treated equally. A Pakistan, where Diwali is celebrated with the same passion and fervour as we celebrate Eid. A Pakistan, where every citizen is equal in the eyes of law and has equal place in our hearts.

I would like to congratulate the Government of Sindh for being the only administration in Pakistan which is celebrating Diwali this year.

There are many other political parties in Pakistan. However, in their eyes Muslim and non Muslims are not equal. I am sure, if Quaid e Azam was alive, he would have despaired over the treatment of non- Muslims in his Pakistan.

Religious Fascists only care about their personal and political gains and use the laws made by Zia. It is these religious fascists, who after conquering Punjab, have evil designs on Sindh. They are taking away the rights of the poor and non-Muslims in the name of religion.

Marvaysun Marvaysun Sindh na Diasu. Marsu Marsu Jinnah ka Pakistan na Daisu.

However, we must not forget that this is not only happening in Pakistan. There is a very famous quote by JFK “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing”. And we will never let evil succeed.

Even today, in America, religious fascists are killing children and doctors in the name of religion. In Palestine, religious fascists are to this day spilling the blood of innocent Palestinians in the name of religion.

However, wherever there is injustice in the world, the leaders of that country stand up, and speak against the persecution of the poor and minorities. However in Pakistan, the status quo politicians do not stand up and speak. This can only mean that, either, they don’t care about their people, or they are too scared to speak up.

In Punjab, an attack takes place on a church in Joseph Colony, and no one speaks up! A blast occurs in a church in Peshawar and still silence! However, there is a big difference between the PPP and these status quo politicians. If there is an attack on a mosque or temple, the PPP considers this an attack on Ghari Khuda Bux itself!

We will not tolerate this discriminatory treatment of the minorities. And inshallah, we will together build a safe, prosperous and forward thinking Pakistan.”