The prime minister must be complimented for the symbolism of his Diwali outreach, at least, even as the government’s attitude towards minorities remains far from satisfactory. Such a high-level PR exercise means some serious brainstorming must have gone into the pronounced shift in outlook. But the prime minister must understand that the public in general and minorities in particular will need this initiative to go all the way rather than take it on face value; and for that the government has itself to blame.

Despite long years of vicious and violent persecution of Muslim and non-Muslim minorities the government has failed to take necessary steps on the ground. The country remains littered with suspect seminaries that openly preach intolerance and even murder of any grouping that does not subscribe to their own harsh, extreme interpretation of religious doctrine. And despite thousands of murders and assassinations – sometimes hundreds killed at once – there has been no movement against organisations that carry out and proudly claim responsibility for these acts. Even bans placed on certain specific militant outfits came only after intense international pressure. And had the army not put its foot down with regard to Zarb-e-Azb, the government was keen to keep talking to the TTP despite persistent attacks on high value official targets and minorities alike.