Pakistan’s historic Hindu temple to be demolished for commercial complex: report

A historic Hindu temple near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has been demolished and construction has begun on a commercial complex in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that has been closed since its original occupants immigrated to India in 1947.

The “Khyber Temple” was located in Landikotal Chowk, a border town in the Khyber region, but has been disappearing brick by brick over the years. Construction on site started about 10-15 days ago.

Officials in various administrations have either denied that they were aware of the existence of the Hindu temple or claimed that the construction was carried out in compliance with regulations.

Ibrahim Shinwari, a tribal journalist from Landi Kotal claimed that there is a historic temple in Landi Kotal Bazaar, saying: “ The temple is located in the center of Landi Kotal Bazaar, which was closed by local Hindus in 1947. After the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, India, in 1992, some clerics and seminarians partially damaged the mosque.”

Recalling that as a child, he heard many stories about this temple from his ancestors. “There is no doubt that there was a temple called ‘Khyber Temple’ in Randykotal,” the reporter said.

Haroon Saradyar of the Pakistan Hindu Temple Management Committee maintained that it is the responsibility of the district administration and relevant government departments to ensure the protection and restoration of historical buildings of religious importance to non-Muslims.

“The Department of Archeology and Museums, the police, the Department of Culture and local government are bound by the Antiquities Act 2016 to protect these sites, including places of worship,” he said.

Dawn quoted Assistant Commissioner Landi Kotal as saying that Muhammad Irshad had expressed ignorance about the demolition of the temple and that it was in the official land records of the Khyber Tribal District. There is no mention of this temple.

“The entire land of Landi Kotal Bazaar belongs to the state,” he said.

The official maintained that a “No Objection Certificate” has been issued to the builder for renovation and repair of some old shops at Landi Kotal Chowk.

The tehsil municipality has approved the construction of commercial buildings or shops in all business and trade centers in tribal areas.

Tehsil Municipal Officer (TMO) Shahbaz Khan said the local administration has the power to issue approval signal for construction of all commercial buildings in the area only after the map or drawing is approved and the necessary fees are paid.

Municipal authorities admit that they have no real and organized revenue records in Khyber region.

Abdus Samad, the former TMO who struck deals for the construction of commercial buildings during his tenure, said he was completely unaware of any such order issued by his office.

Randy Kotal Patwari Jamal Afridi claimed that he was unaware of the construction activities at the temple site. He added that the revenue records did not mention a temple at the site.

“If the government does not fulfill its obligations towards religious minorities, all their places of worship and other historical buildings will soon disappear,” he said.

Shinwari disputed the claim that the Khyber district administration and municipal authorities had no official land records for the temple.

“Maintaining and protecting historic non-Muslim places of worship is the responsibility of the AUQAF department, but the department has no offices or employees in the Khyber Tribal Area,” Shinwari said.

“Many elderly tribal elders will attest to the existence of a temple at Landikotal Bazaar,” he added.

Sarabudiyar suggested that these places which are not used by minorities or are in dilapidated condition can be used for any social welfare activities for the collective benefit of the local community instead of demolishing it and building something new.