Pakistan's Capital Development Authority (CDA) has withdrawn its notification canceling plot allotted for the construction of a temple and cremation ground after facing severe criticisms over its earlier order, UNI news agency said. According to a report by Dawn, the four kanals (over 2000 square metres) at H-9/2 was allotted to the community in 2016 for the construction of the first-ever Hindu temple, cremation and community centre in the federal capital Islamabad.

In hearing of a case in Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday, CDA’s counsel Javed Iqbal said the civic body had cancelled the plot for the Hindu community in February for not starting construction work on it.  Speaking on whether the CDA will begin an inquiry against officials who misinterpreted the cabinet's decision, he said, “Actually, there was no bad intention involved in this case. There was some sort of confusion and misinterpretation of the cabinet decision and when the matter was brought into the notice of high-ups, the allotment was restored immediately.”

CDA spokesperson Syed Asif Raza said in the light of a decision of the federal cabinet, allotments of all lands allotted to various offices, universities and other institutions on which no construction work had been started were canceled, Dawn reported. He further said the temple plot did not fall under this category but the officials concerned had misinterpreted the cabinet decision and cancelled the plot allotted to the Hindu community.

According to the copy of the new allotment letter, “The allotment of subject plot allotted for temple, community centre and cremation ground for Hindu community in Sector H-9/2, Islamabad, stands valid as the same is not affected by the cabinet decision dated 22-09-2020 as construction work on the subject plot had been initiated after approval of CDA dated 21-12-2020.”

Last month, unidentified persons had robbed three silver necklaces and cash from an old temple in Kotri town.

Citing sources, Dawn reported the thieves broke open locks on Devi Mata temple in Kotri and took away three silver necklaces worn around the deities’ necks and around Rs25,000 cash from the temple’s donation box.