KARACHI: The Sindh government took exception on Thursday to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) advising universities to refrain from getting involved in religious festivals such as Holi merely on the grounds that it is "incompatible with the country's identity and societal values".

The HEC has since withdrawn its letter, issued by Executive Director Dr Shaista Sohail, stating that it is "highly respectful of all religions, faiths, and beliefs, and the associated festivals observed in the country".

The regulatory body clarified that it has not banned the celebration of any festivities as is being implied in backlash received on social media. The statement specified that HEC was only emphasising the country's varsities to "focus upon the core reason of their existence, i.e, academic excellence, research quality and harnessing the talent of the youth towards a structured, disciplined, and responsible citizen as per the nation's ideology".

Subsequent to the withdrew of letter by HEC, the Sindh government issued a statement opposing "the ban imposed by the HEC on celebrating the Hindu religious festival Holi in universities across the country".

Taking strong exception to the HEC's advisory letter, the provincial government declared the move "against Islamic religious tolerance".

Sindh Universities and Boards Minister Muhammad Ismail Rahoo said "This decision of HEC will cause more intolerance and division in the society. "