Web Desk: The Punjab government has rejected claims in a recent media report concerning a more than century-old Hindu temple in Narowal district, saying the temple’s own land was never leased to a religious seminary.
The government said the temple in Siraj village partially collapsed on Aug. 21 after torrential rain and disputed a report by Dawn that raised questions about the status of the property surrounding the site.
According to a statement posted by the Punjab government, land adjoining the temple had been leased to a seminary, but the government maintained that the land belonging to the temple itself had not been leased.
Punjab Minister for Minorities Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora visited the temple site following the incident, the government said.
The minister found that only part of the temple structure, described by the government as the temple’s sign, had collapsed because of the heavy rainfall.
The provincial government said it had undertaken to restore the damaged portion.
The government did not provide further details about the temple’s condition or the estimated cost and timeline for restoration.
The Punjab government also criticised what it described as insufficient distinction between allegations, claims and verified facts in reporting on sensitive issues.
It said journalists should report allegations when relevant but should also make clear whether information has been independently established.
The government emphasized that additional care was necessary when reporting on places of worship because inaccurate or unverified claims could have wider social consequences.
The Punjab government said reports suggesting religious persecution could damage communal relations and public confidence if claims were presented without adequate verification.
It also warned that such narratives could affect Pakistan’s international reputation and contribute to mistrust among communities.
The government did not say whether it planned to take any action regarding the Dawn report.
The controversy emerged after the historic temple suffered damage during heavy rainfall on Aug. 21.
While the government has attributed the collapse to torrential rain and pledged to restore the affected portion, the dispute over the adjoining property has drawn attention to the condition and legal status of the religious site.
The Punjab government’s account represents its position on the matter.
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