KARACHI: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has sought comments from provincial government on an application of All Pakistan Hindu Panchayat (APHP) against Port Grand, a restaurant, built near 200-year-old Laxmi Narain Temple at Native Jetty Bridge allegedly in violation of religious laws.
Three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani was seized with the hearing of an application filed by Ravi Davani, the secretary general of APHP.
Applicant submitted that Hindu community visit 200-year-old Swami Narayan temple, located at Native Jetty Bridge in Karachi, which is highly regarded by Hindus for its use to perform death rituals.
He stated before the court that Hindus visit the temple which is on the bank of Arabian Sea to take bath in the water for ritual purification.
Devani said that Port Grand, a restaurant and shopping place, which is built close to Temple had acquired illegally most of its land. He said that Hindu community, particularly women, feels insecure while performing their worship due to presence of restaurant where visitors disturb them, which was against religious ethics.
He requested the court to issue directives to authorities concerned to stop this religious disturbance. After hearing his arguments, the bench directed Advocate General Sindh to submit comments in this regard within ten days.