To Develop 'Cultured Pakistanis', HEC Advises Against Holi Celebrations At Quaid's Varsity

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Wednesday issued a notification to all public and private universities operating in the country, directing them to "prudently distance themselves" from activities such as the celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi, which was deemed to be "obviously incompatible with the country's identity and societal values".

The matter has drawn the ire of the public, who took to social media platforms to express their ire at the advisory.

What happened?

Earlier this year, students at the Quaid-e-Azam University in Islamabad -- the biggest university in the country -- celebrated the Hindu festival of Holi, which celebrates the coming of spring and color.

It is usually celebrated in March to coincide with the onset of spring.

Videos and images from the celebration had subsequently gone viral. It had ostensibly drawn some criticism from certain quarters.

Holi celebrations in Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad Pakistan