Pak court allows Hindus to worship at historic temple

Islamabad, Sep 15 (PTI) A Pakistani court today allowed the minority Hindu community to worship and perform their religious rituals at a historic temple at Gorgatri in Peshawar city in the country's restive northwest. A two-judge bench of the Peshawar High Court led by Chief Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan issued the order in response to a petition filed by Phool Wati, a Hindu lady who had challenged the handing over of the temple to government custody. Phool Wati's lawyer argued that the temple was established before the creation of Pakistan and was in the custody of police till 1960.Later, it was handed over to the Archaeological Department. The lawyer told the court that Phool Wati and her family were being ousted from the temple complex and not being allowed to perform their religious rituals at the shrine. He asked the court to allow his client and her family to worship at the temple and to direct authorities not to displace them. In his remarks, Chief Justice Khan said Islam teaches people to protect the places of worship of minorities as well as the rights of non-Muslims.