Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senior leader Nadeem Afzal Chan has accused senior government officials of enabling the illegal occupation of land belonging to the historic Sanatan Dharam Mandir in Bhalwal, Punjab, warning that the case represents a growing threat to minority rights and cultural heritage in Pakistan.
Chan alleged that Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman’s relatives were directly involved in the unlawful seizure of temple property, where a commercial plaza is reportedly under construction. He further highlighted similar encroachments on properties managed by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) in Bhera and Kot Momin (Sargodha district).
“This is not simply a land dispute – it is a direct assault on Pakistan’s religious minorities and their centuries-old heritage,” Chan stated. “The world must take note. Protecting minority places of worship is not just a moral obligation but a constitutional duty.”
The Evacuee Trust Property Board has confirmed that notices have been issued to those allegedly involved, though no official comment has yet been made by the Chief Secretary.
Human rights advocates and minority groups are calling for swift government action to stop the construction, restore the land to the temple, and ensure accountability. They have urged international organizations, including UNESCO and global human rights bodies, to monitor the case closely as part of broader efforts to safeguard vulnerable heritage sites and minority rights.