Pakistan presents a vibrant mosaic of different cultures, languages, and traditions. From the soul-stirring poetry of Sufi saints to the colourful cultural traditions—celebrated by its Christian, Hindu, Kalasha and Sikh communities—this nation’s rich diversity is its most precious inheritance and potentially its biggest strength as well.
Sadly, instead of being celebrated, Pakistan’s diversity is too often looked at with suspicion and at times outright rejected. It is an established fact that societies fragment when they fail to encourage inclusivity, turning what should be a source of communal harmony into a cause for its division.
Unfortunately, we live in a system where ethnic nationalism and intra-religious diversity are also scrutinised with equal suspicion and harmony often takes a backseat.
So early in my career, it was not my skills or qualifications that raised eyebrows—it was my ethnicity and sect. Ironically, association and belief seemed to hold more weight than merit, and talent a mere afterthought in the world of favouritisms.
Leveraging cultural diversity for peace was a central theme at a recent dialogue organised under the auspices of the Institute for Regional Studies (IRS) in Islamabad.
The pressing need for reforms that can ensure inclusivity, cultural preservation, and governance that works for everyone was highlighted during the event.
From the soul-stirring poetry of Sufi saints to the colourful cultural traditions, Pakistani nation’s rich diversity is its most precious inheritance and potentially its biggest strength as well.
Though the dialogue inspired many fresh perspectives, it is an unfortunate reality that the disconnect between ideas and implementation remains vast.
Diversity unites
I have personally experienced how diversity can be used to build bridges. For instance, during my time with United Nations Peacekeeping Missions, interfaith benedictions which brought together prayers from Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and others would create a shared sense of peace and purpose.
For me, the question is: why cannot we replicate such unity in our own country? Instead, our minorities and marginalised communities face systemic exclusion.
Their religious spaces are attacked, heritage sites are left to decay, and encroachments on them—both legal and illegal—go unaddressed.
The tragic mob attack in Sargodha in May 2024, the violence in Faisalabad in August 2023, and the Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park bombing in Lahore in March 2016 during Easter celebrations are all heartbreaking incidents of how vulnerable the marginalised communities have become in Pakistan.
Beyond the immediate neglect of our minorities lies a deeper failure. The institutions entrusted with promoting and protecting diversity—in the education sector, cultural authorities, and law enforcement agencies—lack both the will and capacity to achieve desired goals.
I recall being asked to teach ‘ethical behaviour’ at the NED University of Engineering and Technology, Islamabad in the 1980s to non-Muslim students, while their Muslim peers were taught the compulsory subject of Islamiyat.
By sharing in the joys and sorrows of those on the margins of society—by protecting their spaces and responding proactively to their grievances—law enforcement could become a trusted partner for marginalised communities.
The unfairness of it was hard to miss—minority students, instead of being taught their own religious texts, were required to take classes on generic ethics. What was intended as an ‘inclusivity’ measure therefore ended up alienating them further.
In a better Pakistan, law-enforcement officers would attend minority festivals; not as mere observers, but as active participants.
By sharing in the joys and sorrows of those on the margins of society—by protecting their spaces and responding proactively to their grievances—law enforcement could become a trusted partner for marginalised communities. Small acts of institutional empathy could rebuild trust where suspicion thrives today.
American writer and humourist Mark Twain aptly noted, “travel is the fatal enemy of prejudice.” What he meant to say was that exposure to different cultures can dismantle the walls of misunderstanding. Domestically, this could take the form of interprovincial exchanges and initiatives like a travelling National Diversity Festival.
Such a festival could showcase the vibrant traditions of the Sindhi, Punjabi, Balochi, Pashtun, and minority communities—giving ordinary people a chance to experience the richness of the cultures practiced by their fellow citizens.
Cultural cohesion
Cultural diplomacy can also play a vital role in promoting a soft image at the global level. A travelling cultural exhibition, featuring art, cuisine, music and traditions from across the provinces, can also be showcased at embassies and international forums to promote a more sophisticated picture of the country.
Pakistan’s cultural heritage holds the key to rebuilding a sense of national pride and promoting unity.
There are many global examples of societies leveraging diversity to build peace. Post-Apartheid South Africa used its multicultural identity to promote reconciliation.
Likewise, Canada, through its Multiculturalism Act, institutionalised policies that balanced the preservation of minority cultures with equality.
Pakistan’s cultural heritage should not be seen as merely symbolic, rather holds the key to rebuilding a sense of national pride and promoting unity.
The Way Forward:
It is time for a fundamental, long-term shift in how we view the differences embodied by communities that are different from the majority. We must transform these contradictions into opportunities to build a richer society.
Governance models must shift towards greater inclusivity and accountability of failures to guarantee it. They must aggressively defend underprivileged populations while promoting trust and democratic values.
Instead of alienating children belonging to minority faiths, the education system should accommodate all belief systems, encouraging students to honour their individual backgrounds while also appreciating their peers’ differences.
Law enforcers must set aside power and embrace empathy, becoming visible supporters of minority communities. Meanwhile, cultural initiatives should restore heritage sites into living symbols of Pakistan’s solidarity with and pride in its minority faiths.
Furthermore, cultural negotiation must celebrate Pakistan’s rich diversity abroad, demonstrating that our peculiarities are not a weakness.
At the IRS dialogue, these ideas found resonance. However, one of the participants rightly pointed out, “we cannot protect diversity without first addressing the systems that suppress it.” Together, we should imagine a Pakistan where governance is inclusive, heritage is cherished, and trust flows freely among communities.
We should imagine a nation where diversity is celebrated, not suppressed; and where a mosque, temple and church can stand side by side as symbols of our shared humanity. We must imagine all these things, and then do our best to achieve these dreams.
A healing touch—a collective commitment to fairness and inclusion—is the need of the hour. Without appreciating all that we are and all we can be, we will remain lost.
