PM Imran orders consultation with CII on construction of Hindu temple

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday directed relevant authorities to  consultate the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) on the issue of construction of a Hindu temple in Islamabad.

Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri called on PM Imran. During the meeting, the minister appraised the premier about the sensitivity of the issue and reaction coming from the religious and political circles.

Minister Qadri said that the Hindu members of the Parliament had filed an application with the Human Rights Commission in 2017 for the construction of a place of worship.

“At the request of the Ministry of Human Rights, the Capital Development Authority allotted space for the temple in 2017. They had also requested the Ministry of Religious Affairs for funds for temple’s construction.”

He added that the minority community was told earlier that Ministry of Religious Affairs does not release funds for the construction minority places of worship, but repairs and renovates them and that the minister had forwarded the request to the premier. The CDA is responsible for providing space for religious places of worship in Islamabad.

The spokesperson for religious affairs said that Pakistan as a state and government would protect the rights of minorities as enshrined in the constitution. “The Hindu community is building the temple with its own resources.”

According to reports, the PM would decide to release funds of the construction of the temple after considering all social and religious aspects.