ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered Federal Religious Affairs Minister Pir Noorul Haq Qadri to consult the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) on the issue regarding the construction of Hindu temple in Islamabad.
During the meeting, the minister appraised the premier about the sensitivity of the issue and reaction coming across the country from the religious and political circles.
The minister said that the Hindu members of the parliament had filed an application with the Human Rights Commission in 2017 for the construction of a temple in Islamabad.
He further said “At the request of the Ministry of Human Rights, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) allotted land for the temple in 2017. They had also requested the Ministry of Religious Affairs for funds for the temple’s construction,” he added.
The minority community was told earlier that the Ministry of Religious Affairs does not release funds for the construction of the temple, however, repairs and renovates of temples would possible and that the minister had forwarded the request to the premier, Qadri added.
It is worth mentioning here the Islamabad High Court was approached and the construction has been stopped on a temple. The right-wing was perturbed over the use of public funds and land allotment for the project. Prime Minister Imran Khan had approved Rs100 million for the project but the petitioner wanted it stopped.
Many were concerned over the sheer size of the temple to be built on 20,000 sq. feet claiming that a few hundred Hindus lived in Islamabad. Others pointed out there was already a temple at Saidpur – a tourist site of the outskirts of the city – that should be renovated rather than building a new one.
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan had said that a commendable role is being played by the minority community in the journey of development and prosperity of Pakistan.
While talking to a group of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf‘s (PTI) lawmakers of the minority community who met with PM Khan on June 26, the prime minister had said protection of the rights of minorities is the top priority of the government.
Jay Prakash, Shanila Rath, Lal Chand, Ramesh Kumar and Jamshed Thomas attended the meeting while Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri and Chairman Non-Ministerial Standing Committee on Government Assurances Malik Muhammad Amir Dogar were also present.
“We all have to take Pakistan forward by promoting unity and religious harmony in our ranks,” PM Khan had added.
PM Imran also issued instructions to expedite the proposed legislation regarding the protection of minority rights. He further instructed the release of funds for the construction of a temple in Islamabad.
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