CDA cancels land allocation for Hindu temple

CDA lawyer says allocation cancelled after cabinet banned construction of buildings in green area

ISLAMABAD:

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has cancelled the allotment of land for the construction of a Hindu temple in Islamabad.

The civic body's lawyer, Javed Iqbal, informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday that the allotment of land was cancelled after the federal cabinet banned construction of new buildings in green areas of the capital.

Earlier, the CDA had allocated land for the construction of the temple in Sector H-9/2 to facilitate the minority community. A temple, community centre, and a cremation ground were to be constructed at the site.

During a hearing in July last year, the CDA urban planning director had informed the bench that the process of plot allotment in H9/2 began in 2016. "The site was allocated to the Hindu community for the construction of a temple, community centre or a shamshan ghat (cremation ground)," he had said.

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"The plot was allotted after consultation with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, special branch and the Islamabad administration, he had said.

"An area of 3.89 kanal was allotted in 2017 and handed over to the Hindu panchayat in 2018," the CDA official had apprised the bench.

According to Human Rights Commission (HRC) Member Krishan Sharma, about 3,000 Hindus families lived in Islamabad and on its outskirts. He had added that they lacked a proper site where they could celebrate religious events such as Holi and Diwali or organise weddings or funerals.