Legal homes allegedly demolished near temple, Sena...

Summary

• The Secretary of Religious Affairs told the committee that the Director General Hajj had been ready to attend the previous meeting scheduled for September 21, 2026.
• He said the ministry would try to obtain an exemption from the authorized forum headed by the Deputy Prime Minister so that the Director General Hajj could attend the next committee meeting.
• Senator Nasir Mehmood expressed concern over the conduct of the Director General Hajj and his repeated failure to appear before the committee.

AI Generated Summary

Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony ordered an immediate halt to demolition operations around Dham Dama Temple in Rawalpindi until a special subcommittee completes an inquiry into claims that legal homes and shops are also being demolished.

Local residents and shopkeepers alleged misuse of authority, stating that legally owned or occupied properties were being targeted along with encroachments. The committee took serious notice of the allegations and directed the authorities to fully investigate the matter, examine the complaints of people who have lived in the area for decades and find an appropriate solution.

The Senate committee meeting was held under the chairmanship of Senator Hafiz Abdul Karim. Senator Nasir Mehmood, Senator Hasna Bano, the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, the Minister of State for Religious Affairs and senior officials of the Ministry also attended.

The committee expressed serious concern over the continued absence of the Director General Hajj, Jeddah, who had been asked several times to appear before the parliamentary committee to explain his conduct during the senators’ visit to Saudi Arabia.