Construction on Hindu Temple Site in Lahore Halted

June 18, 2006

Source: The Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1656554.cms

On June 18, 2006 The Times of India reported, "With Pakistan's Hindu community challenging the demolition of a temple, the Lahore High Court has stayed the construction of a commercial complex at the site and sought a reply from the Pakistan Evacuee Trust Property Board (PETPB) chairperson. According to sources, Om Parkash Khatri of Lal Kurti Bazaar, Rawalpindi, had filed a writ petition challenging the demolition of the temple. Earlier, Pakistan's Minorities Welfare Council had also said the mandir has been demolished. Sources said the temple — Moti Lal Da Mandir, also known as Gaushala Mandir — and its land was given on a 99-year lease to Khawaza Naseem Ahmad and Atiq Bhatt, businessmen of Sarafa Bazar, in connivance with some PETPB officials. The officials allegedly hid the facts that the said land was a Hindu temple from its chairperson. The businessmen reportedly paid Rs 70 lakh as the lease amount. Sources said the petitioner pleaded that the demolition of a place of worship was an act of blasphemy and attracted imprisonment."