PESHAWAR: Minister for Sports, Tourism, Archaeology and Youth Affairs Syed Aqil Shah said on Monday that the height of the walls of the Hindu temple inside Gor Gathri monument would be raised while another Rs3 million would be earmarked for paving the floor and other renovations.
After visiting the temple on the directives of chief minister, the minister said some miscreants had tried to create harassment, which was condemnable. Director Archaeology Dr Shah Nazar Khan and other officials were also present on the occasion.
Unidentified attackers had ransacked the temple sited in Gor Ghatri in the urban limits of the provincial capital Sunday evening. The minister said the work would start in August and complete in December 2012. He said the artwork done by hand in the temple would be preserved through the experts of the National College of Arts Lahore and University of Peshawar.
He said Islam taught us to respect the places of worship of all religions and his party Awami National Party considered Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Sikhs as equal citizens. Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari has sought a report in this regard besides directing the provincial authorities to ensure tracking out the culprits involved.
The president, who is in Chicago to attend the Nato Summit, took a serious note of the news reports.
He said the minorities have complete freedom to exercise their religious rights and the government of Pakistan would ensure that its obligations are fulfilled.
After visiting the temple on the directives of chief minister, the minister said some miscreants had tried to create harassment, which was condemnable. Director Archaeology Dr Shah Nazar Khan and other officials were also present on the occasion.
Unidentified attackers had ransacked the temple sited in Gor Ghatri in the urban limits of the provincial capital Sunday evening. The minister said the work would start in August and complete in December 2012. He said the artwork done by hand in the temple would be preserved through the experts of the National College of Arts Lahore and University of Peshawar.
He said Islam taught us to respect the places of worship of all religions and his party Awami National Party considered Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Sikhs as equal citizens. Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari has sought a report in this regard besides directing the provincial authorities to ensure tracking out the culprits involved.
The president, who is in Chicago to attend the Nato Summit, took a serious note of the news reports.
He said the minorities have complete freedom to exercise their religious rights and the government of Pakistan would ensure that its obligations are fulfilled.