The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) has initiated the reconstruction of the historic Baoli Sahib Hindu temple in Zafarwal, marking a significant milestone after 64 years of disrepair. The first phase of the restoration involves constructing a boundary wall, with a budget of Rs. 10 million allocated for the project.
Narowal district, which once had 45 Hindu temples, currently has none in functional condition, forcing the Hindu community to travel to Sialkot or Lahore for religious ceremonies. Local Hindu families have long awaited the revival of the Baoli Sahib temple for worship and rituals.
Former president of the Pak Dharamsthan Committee, Ratan Lal Arya, noted that the ETPB took control of the temple in 1960, leaving it non-operational. For two decades, the committee has pushed for its restoration, advocating for the religious rights of over 1,453 Hindus in the region.
The ETPB is managing the construction across four kanal of land, with the boundary wall being prioritized. Upon completion, the temple will be transferred to the Pak Dharamsthan Committee.
Key figures like Dr. Shoaib Siddal, chairman of the Supreme Court’s One-Man Commission, and Manzoor Masih of the National Commission of Human Rights, have been instrumental in advancing this restoration project. Sawan Chand, the current president of the Pak Dharamsthan Committee, expressed gratitude to the government for fulfilling a long-standing demand of the Hindu community.