ISLAMABAD: A Parliamentary panel has directed the government to build a temple and a crematorium for Hindus in the capital, after it was known that Islamabad has no Hindu shrine. It is reported that committee members were shocked when they came to know there was no cremation ground for Hindus in the city. At least 500 Hindus are said to have made the Pakistan capital their home.
Ramesh Lal, who chaired a meeting of sub-committee of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Religious Affairs, said, "It is surprising and sad that there was not even a single temple in Islamabad for Hindu community to worship." He added, "This is how the government is treating minorities in the country. It is the basic right of Hindus to have a temple in their own city for worship."
While the government put forward concerns saying there would be security issues if a Hindu temple came up in the area, the committee was quick to reject them. "Hotels and restaurants are being provided security by the government, why a temple cannot be provided security?" a member asked. The panel has proposed to allot land for the temple in Saidpur village area.
Hindus and Christians make up for over three per cent of the total population of Muslim-dominant Pakistan.
