Ancient Hindu Temple in Peshawar Being ‘Secretly’ Demolished

An ancient Hindu temple in the city of Peshawar, Pakistan is being secretly demolished in the name of repair.

A representational photo of a Hindu temple. (ANI video grab)

An ancient Hindu temple in Peshawar, Pakistan is being demolished secretly in the name of repair with a commercial plaza set to come up on its land.

They said the process started about 10 days ago and is going on without any hindrance.

It is a pity that a criminal act of pulling down a heritage structure has been launched. The building is being knocked down clandestinely to erect a commercial plaza on the site. There is no action from any of the government departments which are supposed to protect such buildings.

<b>Resident of Peshawar</b>

Another resident said it was a double-criminal act.

On the one hand, an ancient building is being demolished while on the other, a commercial plaza is set to be constructed on its land in a purely residential area.

Residents have questioned the silence of the relevant government departments over the entire episode. They deplored the inaction of government authorities in the wake of the demolition of the heritage building.

There is no action by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), Auqaf Department dealing with the non-Muslim properties and the Archaeology Department – the departments tasked with protecting such properties.

Demanding an immediate halt to the demolition process, the residents asked ETPB Chairman Saddique-ul-Farooq to order a probe into the issue to bring to justice the government officials whose negligence or tacit approval had put in danger the ancient Hindu temple.

The Civil Society members, in a statement, said this is a painful story in all major cities of Pakistan.

Speculative land mafia in collusion with lower-tier government officials and police get away with destroying Pakistan’s precious heritage. The government is reduced to being a silent spectator in this demolition.