Pak rejects allegations of Hindu temple demolition

Pakistan on Friday rejected the allegations that a century-old Hindu temple was deliberately demolished in the country, asserting that its structure was damaged due to torrential rains.

The Hindu temple in question was located in Siraj village of Narowal area of Punjab province.

Local people, minority bodies and a political party said a group of religious zealots demolished the temple to include its land in an adjacent seminary.

India on Wednesday unequivocally condemned the reported destruction of the temple, demanding that Islamabad promptly investigate the incident and hold those responsible fully accountable.

New Delhi also said that Pakistan must take immediate remedial measures to restore the “desecrated temple” and fulfil its primary obligation to guarantee the safety, security and well-being of all its minority citizens and their cultural heritage.

Terming India’s allegations as “false and politically motivated”, the Pakistan Foreign Office on Friday said that the temple’s structure was damaged on July 21 due to torrential rains.” The local authorities already surveyed the rain damage and initiated steps for the restoration of the building,” it said.