Holi marks the advent of spring in India and is celebrated all around the Hindu-majority country with coloured powders and splashing water.
Thousands of devotees have defied coronavirus prevention protocols and social distancing norms to celebrate the festival.Holi was also observed in Multan,Sukkur, Hyderabad,Faisalabad, Lahore and Cholistan with traditional zeal and enthusiasm.
Though Holi itself is celebrated on a particular day, March 29 this year, it is a week-long affair in villages around Mathura in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh and some other parts of India.
India has reported a worrying second surge in COVID-19 cases, which has prompted multiple states to return to some form of restrictions on public gatherings.
On Wednesday, the country reported 275 new COVID-19 deaths, the most this year, as the surge fills hospital beds in big states such as Maharashtra. Total deaths have shot up to 160,441.
Infections rose by 47,262 in the past 24 hours, the highest since early November, to a total of 11.7 million, data from the health ministry showed.
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday wished a "very happy Holi" to the Hindu community as it celebrates the occasion across Pakistan. He said the occasion was a "festival of colours".
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also chimed in and wished a happy Holi to "our Hindu community in Pakistan and across the world".
"May the festival of colours bring peace and happiness."Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry, meanwhile, expressed the hope for happiness to prevail over pain and for humanity to prevail over extremism in his wishes on the occasion of Holi."May we overcome challenges with zeal."
"Greetings to our Hindu community and friends abroad celebrating the Holi festival," said Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari.
Leaders from across the political aisle also extended their well wishes to the Hindu community.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, referring to Holi as an "ancient festival of colours", congratulated everyone celebrating it.
"Holi's message is love, peace and brotherhood," said Bilawal, adding that it also symbolised the victory of "good over evil" and thus was needed even more so today when "when intolerance is on the rise, it is of paramount importance to spread the message of Holi."
"The unanimous constitution given to the nation by Shaheed (Benazir) Bhutto guarantees equal rights for all minorities in Pakistan, including the Hindu community.
"Ask for special prayers for eradication of the Covid-19 epidemic and security and prosperity of Pakistan," Bilawal appealed to everyone celeb