Lahore, February 12

Notwithstanding the court order, the authorities in Pakistan’s Punjab province have demolished the remains of a centuries-old Jain temple to pave the way for a controversial metro line project here.

In violation of the Lahore High Court’s order to suspend all work on the line within 200 ft of buildings of historical value, the Punjab Government yesterday demolished the remains of the already damaged temple.

Located near famous Anarkali Bazaar of old city, a mob had damaged the temple in 1992 after the demolition of Babri Masjid in India.

The temple was being used these days for some commercial purposes like shops and the office of the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) and a private filling station before its was completely destroyed yesterday by the Shahbaz Sharif government.

The Supreme Court Lahore’s registry branch, Shalimar Garden, Chauburji monument, Saint Andrew Church, GPO building, tomb of Mehrunisa, Budhu ka Awa, tomb of Baba Mauj Daria, Shah Cheragh Building, Awan-e-Auqafand and Dai Anga Tomb are other historical sites that fall on the route of the project.

The Lahore High Court in January had issued a stay order against the construction work for the metro line project within 200 ft of historical buildings along its route. — PTI