http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEL20061121082505&Title=Top+Stories&Topic=0&

ISLAMABAD: In a rare gesture towards the minority Hindus, President Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday visited a temple of Lord Shiva in Karachi where he said historical places of all religions, including that of Hinduism, were integral part of Pakistan's history and it was the priority of the government to maintain them.

Musharraf, currently on a visit to the Port city, drove down to a Shiv temple in the town which was one of the oldest in the region. He was received at the temple by its caretaker Suresh Manjani, state-run PTV reported.

\\\"Historical places of all religions including that of Hinduism are the integral part of Pakistan's cultural and geographical history,\\\" he was quoted as saying by the TV.

He said it was the priority of the government to keep them in shape so that they remain an asset and source of belonging for interfaith bonding and tourists around the world.

Pakistan has some of the oldest Hindu temples which have remained neglected for over five decades. In 2004, the Pakistan government launched a Rs 10 crore project to renovate the Khatas Raj temple in Punjab province where the Pandavas are believed to have spent their exile. The sprawling temple was visited by BJP leader L K Advani during his visit to Pakistan.

India and Pakistan are currently working out a group tourist visa policy under which Islamabad plans to attract large number of tourists to visit historical places, including temples in the country.

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Speech by Thomas Friedman of The New York Times....

"When we were young kids growing up in America, we were told to eat our
vegetables at dinner and not leave them. Mothers said, 'think of the
starving children in India and finish the dinner.' And now I tell my
children: 'Finish your maths homework. Think of the children in India
who would make you starve, if you don't.'"

Just see India, where thousands of Hindu politicians visit dargas, churches, host iftars, go to gurudwaras...

at last once a Pak politician has been to a temple.

Good to know..

THere is a dire need to resurrect the temples / churches / gurudwaras etc neglected in past 50 years of Pakistan's existence

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Non illigitamus carborundum