ISLAMABAD: Chairman Evacuee Trust property Board (ETPB) Dr Syed Atta-ur-Rehman has said renovation and development of places of worship of Hindu and Sikh communities is being carried out in Pakistan.
Addressing the participants of Hindu religious ceremonies at Katas Raj Temple Chakwal, Chairman ETPB said a master plan is being prepared to enhance the beauty of historic Katas Raj Temple.
Hindu yatrees from India performed the rituals of “Maha Shuratri”.
Addressing the ceremony organised by ETPB, Dr Atta-ur-Rehman said ETPB takes special steps to serve people of minority religions and protect and maintain their places of worship. He said Federal Minister Ch Salik Hussain inaugurated a 36-room residential building adjacent to Katas Raj Temple for Hindu pilgrims.
Indian jatha leader Trilok Chand said, “We have received immense love and affection in Pakistan. We are being provided with all the facilities here”.
He said special care is being taken of their places of worship in Pakistan. He was grateful to the government and Chairman ETPB for construction of a residential complex adjacent to Katas Raj for the yartees.
Deputy jatha leader Raghu Kant said Pakistan is the cradle of peace. “Pakistan is a very safe country for minorities from where they always gather a lot of love and affection”, he said.
On this occasion, Hindu yatrees said Pakistan is a peaceful country and they are grateful to ETPB, government of Pakistan and the people for the way religious places are being protected here.
A yatree said the thought he had about the people of Pakistan changed as soon as he crossed the border. “Pakistani people are very loving and sociable people”, he said.
Additional Secretary Shrines Saifullah Khokhar, Deputy Secretary General Shrines Umar Javed Awan and other officers were present at the ceremony.
Security arrangements were made by district administration and police on the arrival of pilgrims, while ETPB arranged accommodation and food in a residential complex.