Islamabad: Reports have emerged of the demolition of a historic Hindu temple in Pakistan, with construction for a commercial complex underway at the same site, stirring controversy and concern.
Situated in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghanistan border, the temple, known as the ‘Khyber Temple’, once stood prominently in the border town of Landi Kotal Bazaar in the Khyber district. Over time, however, it has been gradually disappearing, with construction activity at the location commencing approximately 10-15 days ago. While some Pakistani officials have refuted the temple’s existence, others have defended the ongoing construction, citing adherence to regulations.
Ibrahim Shinwari, a prominent tribal journalist, affirmed the existence of the temple, recounting its central location in Landi Kotal bazaar. He recalled its closure in 1947 following the migration of local Hindu families to India and its partial damage in 1992 by clerics and seminarians in the aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition in India. Despite differing official stances, Shinwari’s accounts, passed down through generations, corroborate the temple’s historical significance.
Haroon Sarabdiyal of the Pakistan Hindu Mandir Management Committee highlighted Pakistan’s antiquity law of 2016, which mandates the protection of historical sites, including places of worship. However, Muhammad Irshad, the Assistant Commissioner of Landi Kotal, claimed ignorance regarding the temple’s demolition, citing absence from official land records. The lack of authentic revenue records in the district has further complicated the matter, with conflicting statements from municipal authorities and officials.
Shahbaz Khan, Tehsil Municipal Officer, emphasized the adherence to regulations in granting approval for commercial construction but acknowledged the absence of organized revenue records in the district, leading to ambiguity surrounding the temple’s status. Amidst bureaucratic discrepancies, concerns have been raised about the preservation of historical non-Muslim sites of worship, prompting calls for proactive measures to safeguard such heritage.
Former TMO Abdus Samad and local patwari Jamal Afridi expressed uncertainty regarding construction orders and ongoing activities at the temple site, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive documentation and preservation efforts to protect Pakistan’s diverse cultural heritage.
