Peshawar: The Hindu community in Pakistan’s restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has decided to pardon the mob that vandalised and burned down a century-old temple in the province.
Now all the culprits in this case have given a written apology regarding the attack on the temple. All have similarly apologized for the 1997 incident. The dialogue on such issues is called Jirga in the local language. This jirga was presided over by the Chief Minister Mahmood Khan. The Muslim clerics have assured full protection to the Hindus and their rights as per the country’s Constitution.
A reconciliation statement from the meeting would be presented to the Supreme Court, in a bid to secure the release of the accused from detention.
Speaking to the media after the meeting with the local Ulema, Pakistan Hindu Council Chairman Ramesh Kumar said the incident had hurt the feelings of Hindus across the world.
Kumar, who is also a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmaker, said KPK Chief Minister Mahmood Khan had chaired the ‘jirga’ proceedings and thanked him for settling the matter amicably.
Mahmood Khan, in his address to jirga members, had condemned the attack strongly, calling it an attempt to pollute the peaceful environment in the province.
The attack on the temple had drawn strong condemnation from human rights activists and the minority Hindu community leaders, prompting the Supreme Court to order its reconstruction.
Nearly 50 people have been arrested in the case. After the incident, the Supreme Court had directed the temple to be rebuilt immediately.