The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has withdrawn a controversial ban on Holi celebrations in universities.
A notification issued by HEC on Thursday stated that the commission is respectful of faith, religions, beliefs and the festivals associated with them.
“Considering that the message inferred from the communication has regrettably led to misinterpretation, HEC is pleased to inform the same,” the notification added.
On Tuesday, the Commission caused outrage when it banned Holi celebrations in educational institutes throughout the country, citing a deviation from the sociocultural values and Islamic identity of Pakistan.
The notification read that students are prohibited from observing the festival to uphold sociocultural values.
On Wednesday night, Salman Sufi, the head of Prime Minister’s Strategic Reform Unit, said in a tweet that HEC has been asked to withdraw the notification about banning Holi in universities.
He wrote that he had spoken to Rana Tanveer Hussain, adding that he has asked HEC them to withdraw it.
The decision came a few days after Holi celebrations were held on June 12 by students at Quaid-i-Azam University.
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