The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), in a major development, on Wednesday proposed opening an existing temple for the Hindu community in Islamabad, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Moreover, the CII also called for meeting the needs of the community with respect to Shamshan Ghat and the community centre.

The Council’s three-day meeting coincided with the completion of the term of its chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz and 11 members.

At a media briefing held after the meeting in Islamabad, Qibla Ayaz said a temple and dharamshala [public rest house or shelter] were available at Saidpur village which should be reopened.

Responding to a question, he said the proposal was made in consultation with the Pakistan Hindu Panchayat. For the purpose, the CII also suggested that changes should be made in the allocated money and the Evacuee Trust Properties (Management and Disposal) Act, he added.

Qibla Ayaz also condemned the Peshawar blast and called for formulating a coordinated policy to stop similar acts and root out terrorism from the country.

The noted religious scholar said the Ministry for Religious Affairs had informed them about the alleged use of the Hajj money as the interest that they were using the amount for other welfare affairs, not interest. 

He said the Council had a code of conduct Paigham-e-Pakistan for protecting the esteem of sacred personalities and against their insult, and the Parliament should use that for a future line of action.