A Pakistani parliamentary committee on Monday directed the government to build a temple and crematorium for Hindus in Islamabad, rejecting the notion that there would be “security issues” if a place of worship for the country’s minority community was built.
Lawmaker Ramesh Lal, while chairing the meeting of sub-committee of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Religious Affairs, said:
It is surprising and sad that there is not even a single temple in Islamabad for Hindu community to worship.
It came as a shock to the committee members that there was no crematorium for the Hindu community in the capital, Dawn reported. At least 500 Hindus are registered to be living in Islamabad, and had to travel to Rawalpindi to perform the final rites of their deceased kin, the committee was told.
This is how government is treating minorities in the country. It is the basic right of Hindus to have a temple in their own city for worship.Ramesh Lal, Lawmaker
The parliamentary body rejected the concerns put forward by the government that there would be “security issues” if a temple is built for Hindus.
Hotels and restaurants are being provided security by the government, why can a temple not be provided security.Members of the Committee
Tariq Qaiser, one of the members of the parliamentary committee, also brought forth the matter of churches not receiving any financial assistance from the government for renovation.
The committee has proposed allotment of land for the temple in Saidpur Village area.
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