November 24, 2017:

India’s former deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani paid a visit to the Temple in 2005.

Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) on Thursday regretted the Government’s inability to safeguard one of the most revered Hindu places of worship, Chakwal’s Katas Raj temple, and directed that a committee be set up to probe the issue.

As per Pakistani media the CJP took a suo motu case on reports that a sacred Pond at the Katas Raj temple complex was drying up because a large amount of water is being drawn by the cement factories nearby through a number of sub-soil wells which is severely reducing the water table in the area.

This temple was visited by India’s former deputy prime minister Lal Krishna Advani in 2005.

He inaugurated its restoration work.

As per the Puranas mention the temples’ pond is made of the teardrops of lord Shiva.

Even the Pandavas are believed to have spent a significant time of their exile in the premises of the ancient Temple.

Recently the Pakistani newspaper Dawn had reported that the Punjab government had submitted reports on the matter in court a cement factory operating in the area highlighting that its water usage is greater than the entire population of the city of Chakwal.

CJP observed that he want a solution to this problem as this temple is not just a place of cultural significance for the Hindu community, but also a part of our Pakistani national heritage.

The advocate general of Punjab is asked to establish a high-level committee to probe the matter and issue a notice to the cement factory.

Bench made it clear that if necessary, it will even summon all four chief secretaries and the prime minister’s principal secretary as the goal is to find a solution to the matter on how water can be provided.

CJP Nisar said that if needed the will close down 10 tubewells or halt the water consumption of the factories.

Apart from the cement factories, the area is known for a number of coal mine operations.

Source - ptinews.com