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<p>A day after announcing that Holi <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-bans-holi-in-universities-after-videos-showing-celebrations-go-viral-606926">celebrations will be banned in universities across Pakistan</a></strong>, the country's Higher Education Commission (HEC) issued a clarification in this regard on Thursday (June 22). In a statement, the HEC said that it is "highly respectful" of all religions, faiths and beliefs, and the associated festivals and celebrations observed in Pakistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The message communicated in this regard is in no way intended to hurt the sentiments of any individual or group," the statement said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The HEC added that the portrayed impression and disseminated connotation that the commission banned the celebration of any festivities were out of context to the spirit of the communication made, as it emphasised the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the country to focus upon the core reason of their existence- academic excellence, research quality and harnessing the talent of youth towards a structured, disciplined, and responsible citizens as per the country's ideology.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Pakistan HEC issues clarification on ban announcement on celebrating Holi in universities. " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="eb4e3e32-ef07-4ebf-aa2e-d855aba3baca" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-06-22%20at%2014.20.06.jpeg" /></p>

<p>"Considering that the message inferred from the communication has regrettably led to misinterpretations, the HEC is pleased to withdraw the same," the statement further said.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What was the ban about?</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>On Wednesday, the HEC announced the ban on Holi,&nbsp;a Hindu festival,&nbsp;in Pakistan's universities. In a statement, the HEC said, "Unfortunately, it is sad to witness activities that portray a complete disconnect from our sociocultural values and an erosion of the country's Islamic identity."</p>

<p>The ban announcement came after videos of students of Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad celebrating Holi went viral on social media.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"One such instance that has caused was the fervour exhibited in marking the Hindu festival of Holi. This widely reported/publicised event from the platform of a university has caused concern and has disadvantageously affected the country's image," the statement said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The HEC said it was advised that HEIs may prudently distance themselves from all such activities obviously incompatible with the country's identity and societal values.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>The videos that went viral</strong></h2>

<p>Taking to Twitter, a handle called QAU News posted two videos of students of Quaid-I-Azam University celebrating Holi. And as per media reports, the event was organised by the Mehran Students' Council, which is a non-political cultural organisation of the university.&nbsp;</p>

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A day after announcing that Holi celebrations will be banned in universities across Pakistan, the country's Higher Education Commission (HEC) issued a clarification in this regard on Thursday (June 22).

A day after announcing that Holi celebrations will be banned in universities across Pakistan, the country's Higher Education Commission (HEC) issued a clarification in this regard on Thursday (June 22). In a statement, the HEC said that it is "highly respectful" of all religions, faiths and beliefs, and the associated festivals and celebrations observed in Pakistan. "The message communicated in this regard is in no way intended to hurt the sentiments of any individual or group," the statement said. The HEC added that the portrayed impression and disseminated connotation that the commission banned the celebration of any festivities were out of context to the spirit of the communication made, as it emphasised the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the country to focus upon the core reason of their existence- academic excellence, research quality and harnessing the talent of youth towards a structured, disciplined, and responsible citizens as per the country's ideology. "Considering that the message inferred from the communication has regrettably led to misinterpretations, the HEC is pleased to withdraw the same," the statement further said. What was the ban about? On Wednesday, the HEC announced the ban on Holi, a Hindu festival, in Pakistan's universities. In a statement, the HEC said, "Unfortunately, it is sad to witness activities that portray a complete disconnect from our sociocultural values and an erosion of the country's Islamic identity." The ban announcement came after videos of students of Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad celebrating Holi went viral on social media. "One such instance that has caused was the fervour exhibited in marking the Hindu festival of Holi. This widely reported/publicised event from the platform of a university has caused concern and has disadvantageously affected the country's image," the statement said. The HEC said it was advised that HEIs may prudently distance themselves from all such activities obviously incompatible with the country's identity and societal values. The videos that went viral Taking to Twitter, a handle called QAU News posted two videos of students of Quaid-I-Azam University celebrating Holi. And as per media reports, the event was organised by the Mehran Students' Council, which is a non-political cultural organisation of the university. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan withdraws notice announcing ban on Holi in universities

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidSuPnUHt3tsJ8" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidSuPnUHt3tsJ8" /><meta charset="utf-8" />The Pakistani government has banned Holi celebrations in universities after videos of students celebrating the Hindu festival at a university in Islamabad went viral on social media. In a statement issued on Tuesday (June 20) Pakistan's Higher Education Commission (HEC) said, "Unfortunately, it is sad to witness activities that portray a complete disconnect from our sociocultural values and an erosion of the country's Islamic identity."</p>

<p>"One such instance that has caused was the fervour exhibited in marking the Hindu festival of Holi. This widely reported/publicised event from the platform of a university has caused concern and has disadvantageously affected the country's image," the statement added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="A letter issued by Pakistan's HEC banning Holi celebrations in universities." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2a7289bc-710f-47a3-92e5-b34d84fa3041" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-06-21%20at%2016.26.18.jpeg" /></p>

<p>The HEC said that while there is no denying that cultural, ethnic and religious diversity leads towards an inclusive and tolerant society, that profoundly respects all faiths, and creeds; albeit it needs to be done so in a measured manner without going overboard.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>The viral videos</strong></h2>

<p>Taking to Twitter, a handle named QAU News posted two videos of students of Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad celebrating Holi. According to media reports, the event was held by the Mehran Students' Council, which is a non-political cultural organisation of the university.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Pakistan HEC's statement said that university students in the country need to be apprised to be aware of the self-serving vested interests who use them for their ends far from the altruistic critical thinking paradigm.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Holi celebrations Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad 🖤 🥀<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QAU_ISLAMABAD?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QAU_ISLAMABAD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/holi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#holi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/holi2023?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#holi2023</a> <a href="https://t.co/CHVkY5NL1m">pic.twitter.com/CHVkY5NL1m</a></p>
— QAU News (@NewsQau) <a href="https://twitter.com/NewsQau/status/1670874677869420545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>"Foregoing in view, it is advised that the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) may prudently distance themselves from all such activities obviously incompatible with the country's identity and social values, while ensuring that they rigorously engage their students and faculty in academic pursuits, intellectual debates, and cognitive learning besides identifying, creating and fostering avenues for extra-curricular activities and rational discourse," the statement added.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Holi celebrations Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad 🖤 🥀<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QAU_ISLAMABAD?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QAU_ISLAMABAD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/holi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#holi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/holi2023?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#holi2023</a> <a href="https://t.co/CHVkY5NL1m">pic.twitter.com/CHVkY5NL1m</a></p>
— QAU News (@NewsQau) <a href="https://twitter.com/NewsQau/status/1670874677869420545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The HEC also said that HEIs are responsible for the dissemination of knowledge and are essential actors in transforming youth into humane, caring and cultured individuals, besides creating a workforce that has skill sets in accordance with the prioritised needs of Pakistan and "also espouses the cultural and moral values as laid down by our religion".</p>

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The Pakistani government has banned Holi celebrations in universities after videos of students celebrating the Hindu festival at a university in Islamabad went viral on social media.

The Pakistani government has banned Holi celebrations in universities after videos of students celebrating the Hindu festival at a university in Islamabad went viral on social media. In a statement issued on Tuesday (June 20) Pakistan's Higher Education Commission (HEC) said, "Unfortunately, it is sad to witness activities that portray a complete disconnect from our sociocultural values and an erosion of the country's Islamic identity." "One such instance that has caused was the fervour exhibited in marking the Hindu festival of Holi. This widely reported/publicised event from the platform of a university has caused concern and has disadvantageously affected the country's image," the statement added. The HEC said that while there is no denying that cultural, ethnic and religious diversity leads towards an inclusive and tolerant society, that profoundly respects all faiths, and creeds; albeit it needs to be done so in a measured manner without going overboard. The viral videos Taking to Twitter, a handle named QAU News posted two videos of students of Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad celebrating Holi. According to media reports, the event was held by the Mehran Students' Council, which is a non-political cultural organisation of the university. The Pakistan HEC's statement said that university students in the country need to be apprised to be aware of the self-serving vested interests who use them for their ends far from the altruistic critical thinking paradigm. Holi celebrations Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad 🖤 🥀#QAU_ISLAMABAD #holi #holi2023 pic.twitter.com/CHVkY5NL1m — QAU News (@NewsQau) June 19, 2023 × "Foregoing in view, it is advised that the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) may prudently distance themselves from all such activities obviously incompatible with the country's identity and social values, while ensuring that they rigorously engage their students and faculty in academic pursuits, intellectual debates, and cognitive learning besides identifying, creating and fostering avenues for extra-curricular activities and rational discourse," the statement added. Holi celebrations Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad 🖤 🥀#QAU_ISLAMABAD #holi #holi2023 pic.twitter.com/CHVkY5NL1m — QAU News (@NewsQau) June 19, 2023 × The HEC also said that HEIs are responsible for the dissemination of knowledge and are essential actors in transforming youth into humane, caring and cultured individuals, besides creating a workforce that has skill sets in accordance with the prioritised needs of Pakistan and "also espouses the cultural and moral values as laid down by our religion". WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan bans Holi in universities after videos showing celebrations go viral

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Pakistan withdraws notice announcing ban on Holi in universities

Pakistan bans Holi in universities after videos showing celebrations go viral