Pakistani High Court moved against demolition of Hindu temple

Islamabad: Two Pakistanis have moved the Peshawar High Court against the alleged ongoing demolition of a non-functional Hindu temple in Peshawar.

They have sought orders for placing the old structure under the control of the archaeology department, the Dawn reported on Tuesday.

Muhibur Rehman and Waqif Saleem said the issue of alleged changes made to the temple building was reported in national and international newspapers, following which the government sealed the temple and arrested two tenants.

They added that those elements in connivance with the evacuee trust properties department had resumed the temple`s demolition to construct a plaza there.

The petition, filed through lawyer Muazzam Butt, lists as respondents a string of officials including the provincial Home Secretary, the archaeology director, Peshawar Deputy Commissioner and the local police.

The petitioners quoted media reports to say that the ancient Hindu temple, located in Mohallah Wangrhi Garah in Karimpura locality, was being secretly demolished.

They added that they had addressed a news conference reminding the government to take appropriate steps to protect the Hindu temples and holy places but to no avail.