{
  "id": 3188755,
  "title": "Controversy resurfaces over construction of plaza at temple site in Khyber",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/controversy-resurfaces-over-construction-of-plaza-at-temple-site-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-25T04:47:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2025072/controversy-resurfaces-over-construction-of-plaza-at-temple-site-in-khyber"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The controversy over the construction of a commercial plaza at the site of an old Hindu temple in Landi Kotal has resurfaced, as influential people are pressuring authorities to issue a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the building. Despite claims of the temple's existence, officials have refused to give the NOC, citing the lack of proper approval and adherence to building regulations. It is reported that the district administration and Landi Kotal Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) have been at odds since April 2024 when construction began. The controversy stems from the demolition of the over a century-old Hindu temple during the night, and the plaza owner's attempt to rennovate some old shops at the site. However, the owners have been unable to provide proof of ownership or allow the TMA engineer to inspect the site, which has prevented the issuance of an NOC. The district administration is believed to have issued a fake NOC in 2024 in collaboration with the plaza's contractor, while revenue officials struggle to establish the true ownership of the temple's one kanal plot amidst a poorly organized revenue record. Local Hindus recall their ancestors worshipping at the temple before the 1947 partition, while religious zealots damaged the temple after the desecration of the Babri Masjid in India in the early 1990s. Despite the claims of minority groups and cultural bodies, the Auqaf department has shown little interest in preserving non-Muslim heritage sites in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, leading to a lack of coordination between government departments and limited local involvement in managing such places.",
  "summary": "A commercial building constructed at the site of a demolished Hindu temple in Landi Kotal. — Dawn KHYBER: The controversy over the construction of an ‘illegal’ commercial plaza at the site of an old Hindu temple in Landi Kotal has resurfaced as some influential people are pressuring authorities concerned to issue a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the building, according to sources. They told…",
  "key_points": [
    "Controversy over plaza at Hindu temple site in Khyber resurfaces.",
    "Authorities deny issuing NOC due to lack of approval and regulations.",
    "Demolition of century-old temple and ownership disputes hinder progress."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The renewed controversy over the plaza construction at the old Hindu temple site highlights the ongoing struggle between preservation of minority heritage sites and commercial interests in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}