*LAHORE: **Pakistani Hindu Community celebrating Diwali with full religious freedom across the country.*
Hindu community is celebrating the annual religious festival of Diwali. The religious festivities are expected to take place in Shawala Teja Singh Temple, located in Sialkot, after 72 years.
All preparations for the upcoming festival have been completed. The festival of Diwali is being seen as more of a cultural than a religious one as people from other faiths will celebrate alongside members of the Hindu community.
The temple, where the festivities will take place, was closed down in 1947. The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and certain members of the Hindu community decided to open the temple a few months ago, after which the renewal and renovation work had begun. Now, for the first time, this temple is going to celebrate a religious ceremony.
Following the directives of the prime minister and ETPB chairman, measures have been taken to renovate Hindu temples and religious places of the Sikh community.
“The opening of Shawala Teja Singh Temple is evidence that efforts are being made for religious communities. The Hindu community living in Sialkot and nearby areas will be able to visit the temple for worship.”