AMRITSAR: The Pakistan government has banned celebration of Holi in its higher education institutions just days after a controversy erupted in the neighbouring country over celebrations of the festival at Islamabad's prestigious Quaid-i-Azam University.The celebration of the festival has had an adverse impact on the country's image, wrote Dr Shaista Sohail, the executive director of the Pakistan's Higher Education Commission, in a letter addressed to all vice-chancellors, rectors, and heads of institutions on June 20.Expressing deep sorrow at witnessing actions that "manifest a stark detachment from the socio-cultural principles of Pakistan and an erosion of the country's profound Islamic identity," she wrote: "The fervour exhibited in marking the Hindu festival of Holi from the platform of a university has caused concern and has disadvantageously affected the country's image."The students of Quaid-i-Azam University celebrated Holi on the campus on June 12 in an event organised by a non-political cultural organisation of the university.

Mostly men could be seen playing with colours in a video of the event uploaded on Twitter.However, the notification has been criticised by both Hindus and Muslims in the country.

Pakistani social activist Babar Jalandhari said that non-Muslims should be permitted to celebrate their religious festivals, just like Muslims.

He advocated for institutions to encourage rather than discourage religious observances based on one's identity, emphasising joint celebrations of all festivals in Pakistan, thus rejecting any ban on non-Muslims.Dr Jaipal Chhabaria, the Hindu member of Pakistan's National Commission for Minorities (NCM), said that non-Muslim students should be allowed to celebrate their religious festivals within the boundaries and regulations set by the respective educational institutions.

Regarding the celebration of Holi, he said that Hindu students should not apply colours to Muslim students without their consent, but Muslim students who are comfortable participating should be welcomed.Dr Chhabaria also noted that issuing a notification specifically for this matter might not be necessary, as Muslim students already celebrate their own religious festivals.

Minority wing president of Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Lal Chand Malhi said Pakistan's constitution grants equal rights to all citizens.

He said the ban violated the constitutional spirit and cited how the construction of a Hindu temple in Islamabad was disallowed.