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Authorities in Pakistans Dera Ismail Khan have sealed the historic Ram Leela Temple in Rahim Bazaar, raising concerns over the protection of religious heritage and the conversion of a culturally significant site into a commercial property.
The move came days after civil society activists intervened to prevent the demolition of the building for the construction of a commercial plaza, as reported by Dawn. According to Dawn, the temple had previously been sealed by Assistant Commissioner Hamid Siddiq following public protests, with construction activities halted at the site. The latest sealing has renewed concerns among residents and heritage advocates over the future of the historic structure. The development coincided with a joint meeting of civil society representatives and members of the Hindu community to discuss the reported demolition plans. Participants strongly opposed the proposed commercial construction and urged elected representatives to raise the issue in Pakistans National Assembly. The meeting took place at the office of Sohail Ahmed Azmi, president of the local civil society organisation. Former provincial assembly member and Hindu community representative Kishore Kumar, social worker Muhammad Nauman and several other participants attended the gathering. During the meeting, participants highlighted the temples historical significance, stating that it was among approximately 400 buildings in Dera Ismail Khan identified as cultural heritage properties by the Evacuee Trust Property Board. They warned that demolishing the structure would threaten the preservation of the citys historical and cultural identity. Civil society members also pledged to oppose any action that could damage the areas heritage. They said representatives of civil society, the business community, literary circles and heritage organisations would collectively resist attempts to destroy historically significant buildings, as highlighted by Dawn. Participants further questioned the legality of the proposed commercial plaza, alleging that the relevant authorities had permitted construction at the temple site despite concerns over whether they possessed the necessary legal powers to authorise such a project, as reported by Dawn. (ANI)
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