From Our Correspondent
ZHOB: A century-old Hindu Temple handed over to members of the Hindu community in Balochistan’s Zhob city. The temple was turned into a school. The Hindu community heaved a sigh of relief after getting control of the ancient temple.
In this connection, a function was held in Babu Mohala Zhob on Thursday. Deputy Commissioner Zhob, Talha Saleem, Khateeb Jamia Masjid Maulvi Allah Dad Kakar, and members of the Hindu community participated in the function.
Ancient temple handed over to Hindu community in Zhob
The Deputy Commissioner handed over the keys of the Temple to members of the Hindu community during the function. The keys were handed over to Saleem Jan, a leader of the Hindu community. Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner stated that the existing primary school inside the Temple would be shifted to a proper place in the future. The four-room temple was used as a school for 30 years.
“We are striving for a tolerant society”, he said.
Maulana Allah Dad Kakar
Maulavi Allah Dad Kakar while addressing the function termed handing over of the keys of the temple to members of the Hindu community as an example of a tolerant society in Pakistan for all religions. He said people of Zhob were determined to respect all religions. “Islam guarantees rights of all minorities”, Maulana Kakar said. He said religious harmony was important for the development and prosperity of the society.
Saleem Jan
Saleem Jan, the leader of the community said that the temple was 200 years old and that after the creation of Pakistan majority of the Hindu community people had migrated to India from Zhob, but still, a sizeable number of them lived in the city.
He said that for the last 30 years the temple building had been used as a government school. “However, it is a matter of happiness that around 600 students now have a new place for their school.”
Religious Freedom
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan guarantees religious freedom to all minorities including Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and others living in the country. Minorities are being handed over their ancient worship places following the order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
