Groundbreaking of temple held without approval of building plan.

ISLAMABAD -- The groundbreaking ceremony for construction of the first ever temple in Islamabad was held without taking approval for its building plan from the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

A ceremony in this regard was held few days back and it was reported in national media as well. The topic also came to limelight on social media.

However when The Nation tried to know the facts it was learnt that the groundbreaking ceremony was held without approval of the CDA and the building plan of the temple has not been received in the authority so far. When contacted the Director Building Control CDA Muhammad Fasil Naeem confirmed that approval for the building plan of the temple is not available as the Islamabad Hindu Panchayat did not apply for it.

We came to know that a groundbreaking was held but there is no construction work on site at present' he said adding: We will definitely stop the construction if it will be started without having prior approval of the authority.'

On the other side contrary to a campaign on social media regarding allotment of land for the temple regarding present government the truth is that the land was allotted by the previous government in 2016. The allotment process was initiated on the recommendations of National Commission for Human Rights and National Minorities Commission while a summary was presented before the CDA board in December 2016.

The board has approved same summary and allowed to allot approximately 4 kanals of land at Sector H: 92 but linked it with the clearance of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Auqaf Directorate of district administration and the special branch of the Islamabad police.

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