New Delhi: Land grabbers in Pakistan are targeting Hindu temple properties. A Krishna temple in Sindh was demolished and 20 acres of land surrounding the temple was illegally encroached by Bashir Khaskheli, leader of a radical organisation, Jeay Sindh.
The owner of the land, Padma Puri, who also heads Karachi Panjrapor Welfare Association, was attacked when she resisted the building of boundary walls around the temple and acid was thrown on her.
The Sindh government has finally owned up to it and promised strict action against the culprit. Sharmila Farooqi, advisor to Chief Minister of Sindh, says: "Whosoever is the culprit will be taken to task. That is my assurance to you."
CNN-IBN had exposed on how gurudwara land was being illegally sold off to Pakistan army at throwaway prices in December last year. India raised the issue with Islamabad subsequently. Although Pakistan initially denied the incident, was later forced to set up a parliamentary panel to investigate into the land grabbing.
The Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly or lower House of Parliament in Pakistan summoned Evacuee Trust Property Board chief Syed Asif Hashmi, Minority Affairs ministry Secretary Javed Akhtar and other officials involved in the controversial deal.
Sources said that in the temple land grab case too, the Evacuee Trust Property Board had concealed facts from the Minority Affairs ministry to obtain its approval for the deal. "Unfortunately it happens and if it is brought to our notice like this, we will take action," says Farooqi.
It's one of those stories that has made impact beyond borders.
The big question though, is, whether Pakistan will take it beyond just a promise of a probe and get the land back to the rightful owners although the past record is not very encouraging.
Sindh govt to probe into temple land-grabbing - World - ibnlive
