Is Islamabad’s new temple included in its master plan?

IHC judge issues notice to CDA

ISLAMABAD:

Questions were raised on Tuesday about the space allocated in the federal capital’s master plan for a temple which is being built in Sector H-9.

The civic agency of the federal capital, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) was directed to answer this on Tuesday by a single-member bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), comprising Justice Amir Farooq, as it heard a petition filed by Chaudhry Akhtar against the construction of a Hindu temple in the city.

Akthar’s petition has included Prime Minister Imran Khan, through his principal secretary, as a respondent along with the secretaries of the ministry of religious affairs and interior, the CDA chairman and Sector H-9 Union Council (UC) chairman.

PM Imran directs release of funds for Hindu temple in Islamabad

The petitioner contended that PM Imran Khan had approved the construction of a temple for the Hindu community of the federal capital, while the federal government had subsequently allocated an Rs100 million grant for the purpose. The foundation stone for the temple was laid on June 24 in Sector H-9.

The petitioner contended that a Hindu worship site exists in the Saidpur Village of the federal capital, asserting that the construction of a new temple was a violation of the city’s master plan.

At this, Justice Farooq issued a notice asking the CDA to clarify whether the worship site was part of the master plan or not.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 1^st, 2020.