Secretary and Additional Secretary Shrines, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), Nasir Mushtaq, along with Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora and Deputy Commissioner Narowal Tayyab Khan, visited a 125-year-old Hindu temple located in the outskirts of Narowal, in Siraj village.

During the visit, the officials thoroughly examined the available evidence and categorically rejected rumours that the temple had been deliberately demolished. Nasir Mushtaq clarified that no individual or institution had caused any damage to the temple. Rather, a portion of the ancient temple building had collapsed due to the recent torrential and stormy rains. Describing the incident as a deliberate human act is therefore completely unfounded and absurd.

He said that anti-state elements are spreading false rumours in an attempt to damage Pakistan’s positive image as a country that respects and protects minorities.

He further clarified that no Hindu family associated with the Hindu faith resides in Siraj village or its adjoining villages. The temple is a non-functional place of worship, where no religious rituals or ceremonies are currently performed.

Nasir Mushtaq said that, with the cooperation of the Government of Punjab, the Evacuee Trust Property Board will soon commence formal work for the restoration, repair, renovation and beautification of the historic temple.

Secretary ETPB Nasir Mushtaq said that the Evacuee Trust Property Board remains fully committed to the protection, preservation and proper maintenance of minority religious sites as well as the country’s historical and cultural heritage. He added that effective and adequate security arrangements are also ensured for the protection of religious places of worship and the safety of pilgrims and visitors.

Chairman of the One-Man Commission, Shoaib Suddle, visited the Jain Temple and Valmiki Temple in Anarkali, Lahore.

On the special instructions of Chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board Qamar-ul-Zaman and Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq, Deputy Secretary Shrines Syed Faraz Abbas and Deputy Secretary General Ali Asghar facilitated the visit and briefed the Chairman of the One-Man Commission about both places of worship. Administrator Lahore Adnan Hassan and XEN Muhammad Bilal were also present on the occasion.

During the visit, Shoaib Suddle inspected the repair, renovation, and beautification work completed by the Evacuee Trust Property Board at the Jain Temple and Valmiki Temple and expressed his satisfaction with the work. He also directed that the remaining work at the Valmiki Temple be completed as soon as possible.

The Chairman of the One-Man Commission also met with members of the Hindu community present at the temples. The Hindu community expressed satisfaction with the arrangements and facilities provided by the Government of Pakistan at their places of worship.

Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Kheal Das Kohistani, has said that the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) is effectively fulfilling its responsibility of preserving, restoring and maintaining historic temples, Gurdwaras and religious heritage, while extending exemplary hospitality and services to pilgrims visiting Pakistan from around the world.

He stated that, in line with the directions of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, effective measures will be taken to ensure the prompt resolution of all administrative and legal issues faced by the Board.

He made these remarks after receiving a detailed briefing during his visit to the ETPB Head Office. Upon his arrival, Chairman ETPB Qamar-uz-Zaman welcomed the Minister of State.

During the briefing, Chairman Qamar-uz-Zaman apprised the Minister of the Board’s administrative and financial challenges. He stated that the absence of a fully constituted Board has created difficulties in carrying out administrative affairs efficiently. He further informed the Minister that the deduction of Rs. 2 billion in taxes by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) from the Trust Institution’s accounts has caused significant financial constraints, adversely affecting the Board’s annual revenue.

On the occasion, the Minister of State assured that the issues faced by the ETPB in its capacity as a trust institution—particularly tax deductions and other administrative challenges—would be addressed on a priority basis. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to finding effective and sustainable solutions to strengthen the Board, enabling it to perform its religious, social and welfare responsibilities for minority communities more effectively.

Secretary ETPB Nasir Mushtaq, while briefing the Minister, informed him that restoration and conservation work is currently underway at Gurdwara Bhai Joga Singh, Peshawar; Gurdwara Bhai Karam Singh, Jhelum; Gurdwara Panja Sahib; and Baoli Mandir, Narowal. He further stated that a comprehensive master plan is also being prepared for the restoration of Sadhu Bela Mandir, Sukkur.

The Secretary further highlighted that, as part of the Board’s modernization initiatives, advanced technologies including satellite imagery, e-Office, online billing, geo-tagging, Management Information System (MIS), e-Billing, and technological support from SUPARCO have been introduced to improve governance and operational efficiency.

Nasir Mushtaq also informed the Minister that the Evacuee Trust Property Board has undertaken effective operations against the land mafia to recover valuable trust properties, resulting in the successful retrieval of numerous high-value properties from illegal occupants.