National
January 15, 2021
LAHORE: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Dr Noor-ul-Haq Qadri inaugurated the crematorium (Shamshan Ghat) in Lahore for Hindus and Sikhs to perform last rituals of their dead ones.
Earlier, the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) had approved Rs14 million for upgrading of Shamshan Ghat established near Babu Sabu Chowk, Ravi River. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Deputy Secretary Admin Rashna Fawad, spokesperson board Amir Hashmi, Chairman Pakistan Hindu Welfare Council Dr Munawar Chand and all the members of the Evacuee Trust Property Board. The ETPB had built a crematorium on 34 kanals and 13 marlas of land to perform the last rites of Hindus and Sikhs in the outskirts of Lahore 18 years ago but the crematorium was completely destroyed by the floodwaters.
National
January 15, 2021
LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan on Thursday took exception to non-compliance of an order by the police regarding ending illegal possession of land belonging to the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and summoned senior officials of the provincial government and the police.
The chief justice had on December 16, 2020 sought a compliance report after Inspector General of Police (IGP)
Inam Ghani submitted an undertaking to end possession by the Police Department of 72 Kanals of the ETPB.
Several petitioners had contended through a counsel that the Police Department in 2001 had requested the Evacuee Trust Property Board to let it construct the Elite Police Training School on 72 Kanal and seven Marlas.
New ray of hope
January 8, 2021
The year 2021 dawned with a ray of hope for the minority Hindu community of Pakistan. During my meeting with Honorable Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed at the Supreme Court Karachi Registry immediately after the tragic attack on the holy Samadhi (tomb) of Shri Param Hans Ji Maharaj, he expressed heartfelt grief over the tragedy. On the occasion, the chief justice directed the One-Man Commission, headed by Dr Shoaib Suddle, to visit the site and submit a fact-finding report. The hearing of the Teri attack was also fixed on January 5 for which the chief secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, IGP KP and other higher-ups were summoned.