After delay of 72 years, 200-year-old temple handed over to Hindus in Pakistan

Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh, February 9

A 200-year-old temple has been recently handed over by the authorities to Hindus after 72 years in Pakistan's Zhob, 337 km from Quetta, a media report said on Friday.

For over 30 years, the temple was used as a government school—but now the school has been moved to another location, according to report by Dawn.

Authorities handed over keys of the four-room temple structure that was being used as government school for the past 30 years at a ceremony attended by leaders of both Hindu and Muslim communities as well as the deputy commissioner, Saleem Taha. The Khatib of the central mosque of Zhob and a leader of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Maulana Allah Dad Kakar, were the chief guest at the ceremony.

Maulana Kakar handed over the keys to the chairman of the local Hindu Panchayat, Saleem Jan.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Taha said: “It is an important and historical day for Balochistan, particularly Zhob.” He added that Maulana Kakar had not only supported the government decision to hand over the temple building to the Hindu community but also attended the ceremony as a chief guest. “This is a great example of religious harmony.”

The deputy commissioner apologised for the delay in handing over the temple, adding that it the temple would be restored to its original condition.