Pakistan opens 1000-year-old Hindu temple in Sialkot

Pakistan has re-opened the gates of a 1000-year-old Hindu temple in Sialkot city of Pakistan’s Punjab. The ancient Shawala Teja Singh temple was sealed since partition. The move can be seen as one of the goodwill gestures from the side of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The temple was partially damaged in the backdrop of attacks on the Babri mosque in 1992. The restoration works of the temple are under way. The 1000-year-old Shawala Teja Singh temple is located in Dharowal locality and the decision comes on the demand of Pakistan’s local Hindu community.

Not only from the locality but Hindus from other parts of the country are also expected to visit the temple. This step can be seen as a major move from Pakistan when it comes to reviving the ties with India. But, India has, in the past reiterated from time to time that talk and terror cannot go together.

Kartarpur Corridor is another hope revival that will allow the Sikh pilgrims from India to visit the Gurdwara Darbar Saheb Kartarpur in Pakistan. It will be opened in November on the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

After numerous rounds of political and diplomatic talks, the corridor got passed, keeping in mind the security and other related issues. Such moves at cultural level can prove to be of immense significance in reviving the Indo-Pak ties.