Evacuee Trust Property Board announced on Thursday that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has decided to restore and reopen Hindu temples across the country. The implementation of govt's plans will be done in phases and policy making regarding the matter has been completed.
The process will begin with two historic temples in Sialkot and Peshawar.
ETPB sources told Express Tribune that 'at least' one or two temples will be made functional within a year by the government. They added that once the temples are made functional, Hindus from India, Canada and the United States will visit the country and that will promote religious tourism.
Out of the 400 temples in Pakistan, only 13 temples are operational where members of the Hindu community perform their religious rituals. 4 out of the 13 temples are in Punjab, seven are in Sindh and 2 are in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
In March this year, Pakistan also gave a green single to open Sharda Temple Corridor in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) for Hindu pilgrims.
Pakistan inaugurated the Kartarpur border opening on November 28 last year, aimed to facilitate Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit one of their holiest sites in the country.
An India delegation led by cricketer turned politician Navjot Singh Sidhu also arrived in Pakistan through Wahgah border to attend the opening ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sidhu praised Prime Minister Imran Khan calling him a 'noble man'. "My friend Imran Khan, you have won hearts of millions of Sikhs around the world. I thank you from the very depths of my heart," Sidhu said.
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The process will begin with two historic temples in Sialkot and Peshawar.
ETPB sources told Express Tribune that 'at least' one or two temples will be made functional within a year by the government. They added that once the temples are made functional, Hindus from India, Canada and the United States will visit the country and that will promote religious tourism.
Out of the 400 temples in Pakistan, only 13 temples are operational where members of the Hindu community perform their religious rituals. 4 out of the 13 temples are in Punjab, seven are in Sindh and 2 are in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
In March this year, Pakistan also gave a green single to open Sharda Temple Corridor in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) for Hindu pilgrims.
Pakistan inaugurated the Kartarpur border opening on November 28 last year, aimed to facilitate Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit one of their holiest sites in the country.
An India delegation led by cricketer turned politician Navjot Singh Sidhu also arrived in Pakistan through Wahgah border to attend the opening ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sidhu praised Prime Minister Imran Khan calling him a 'noble man'. "My friend Imran Khan, you have won hearts of millions of Sikhs around the world. I thank you from the very depths of my heart," Sidhu said.
Have something to say about the story? Write in the comments section below