Amnesty International has urged Pakistan to allow the construction of a Hindu temple in the capital, Islamabad, that was halted amid opposition to the project from religious and political circles.
"Everyone has a right to freedom of religion or belief, a right that is guaranteed in Pakistan's constitution and its international obligations," the London-based human rights watchdog tweeted on July 7.
Halting the construction of the Hindu temple "is an unconscionable act of bigotry that must be reversed immediately," it added.
The government of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif approved plans in 2017 to build Islamabad’s first Hindu temple, with a crematorium, a community hall, and parking spaces.
The government of the current prime minister, Imran Khan, earlier this year approved a grant of Rs100 million (nearly $600,000) for the construction of the Shri Krishna Madir temple, but Muslim clerics and politicians, including the chief of the PML-Q party, an ally of Khan, said they strongly opposed the move.
Last week, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) halted construction of the boundary wall at the site saying it did not have an approved building plan. The move came after part of the wall was allegedly demolished by fundamentalists opposed to the project.
The government later said it was seeking advice from Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), a body of Islamic scholars, on whether state money can be used for the construction of the temple.
Mainly Muslim Pakistan is home to an estimated 8 million Hindus, including some 3,000 in Islamabad.
Related
Editor's Picks
Subscribe
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
Rising Violence Threatens Chinese-Funded Projects In South And Central Asia
2Taliban Orders Further Restrictions On Medical Education For Women -- Sources
3After Decades Of Mistrust, Iran And Pakistan Join Forces Against Militancy
4What Is Behind The Deadly Sectarian Violence In Pakistan?
5Violence Against Women, A Crime That Transcends Borders
6Freight Train Arrives In Afghanistan From China As Beijing Looks To Increase Ties
7Afghan Taliban Minister Killed In Kabul Blast
8Taliban's Ban On Organ Transplants Deprives Afghans Of Lifesaving Treatment
9Pakistan's Push For Digital Control Adds To 'Climate Of Fear'
10'Our Children Are Dying': The Toll Of Sectarian Violence In A Pakistani City
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
