Pakistan Allocates PKR 10 Million for Hindu Temple Restoration
In a significant move towards religious inclusivity, the Pakistani government has allocated PKR 10 million for the restoration of the Baoli Sahid Hindu temple in Narowal,
Punjab. The temple, which has been inactive for nearly 64 years, is set to reopen in phases, providing a dedicated place of worship for the local Hindu community.
Located in Zafarwal town of Narowal, the temple became non-functional in 1960, leaving the Hindu community in the area without a religious site. With no other temples in Narowal, many local Hindus have had to travel to Sialkot or Lahore for their religious practices. The restoration project addresses the community’s long-standing demand, enabling them to conduct rituals closer to home.
The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), which manages minority worship places in Pakistan, is spearheading the restoration, beginning with the construction of a boundary wall around the four kanals of land allotted for the temple. Upon completion, the temple will be handed over to the Pak Dharamsthan Committee, which represents the Hindu community in Pakistan.
Key figures like Shoaib Siddal, chairman of the One Man Commission of the Supreme Court, and Manzoor Masih, member of the National Commission of Human Rights, have supported the restoration effort. Sawan Chand, president of the Pak Dharamsthan Committee, expressed gratitude for the government’s attention to the Hindu community’s needs.
With around 7.5 million Hindus in Pakistan, primarily residing in Sindh, this initiative is a step toward promoting religious harmony and preserving the cultural heritage of minority communities in the country.
