The demolition of the historic Hindu temple, known as the 'Khyber Temple,' near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the protection of religious heritage sites belonging to non-Muslim communities.
The temple, located in Landi Kotal Bazaar, had been closed since 1947 when the original occupants migrated to India. Over the years, it had been gradually disappearing, and construction for a commercial complex began at the site about 10-15 days ago.
While some officials denied knowledge of the temple's existence, others claimed that the construction was being carried out following regulations. Tribal journalist Ibrahim Shinwari, familiar with the area, affirmed the temple's historical significance and lamented its demolition.
Haroon Sarabdiyal of the Pakistan Hindu Mandir Management Committee emphasized the responsibility of relevant government departments to protect and rehabilitate such historical buildings. He cited the 2016 antiquity law, which mandates the protection of sites of religious importance to non-Muslims.
However, Assistant Commissioner Landi Kotal Muhammad Irshad expressed ignorance about the temple's demolition, stating that it was not mentioned in official land records. He indicated that a 'no objection certificate' had been issued for renovation and repair work in the area.
Tehsil Municipal Officer Shahbaz Khan clarified that the municipal authorities were responsible for approving commercial constructions after verifying maps and receiving necessary fees. However, there were challenges in maintaining authentic revenue records in the Khyber district.
Former TMO Abdus Samad claimed unawareness of any orders related to the temple's construction during his tenure. Patwari Jamal Afridi also stated that revenue records did not mention the temple.
Shinwari questioned the district administration's claims of not having official records of the temple and highlighted the absence of the auqaf department's presence in the Khyber tribal district.
Sarabdiyal proposed repurposing unused or dilapidated structures for social welfare activities instead of demolishing them, emphasizing the importance of preserving religious heritage sites.
The demolition of the Khyber Temple underscores the need for better protection measures for historical religious sites and highlights the challenges faced by minority communities in safeguarding their heritage.
