Pakistani PM visits Hindu temple, reaches out to minorities

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Political analysts say Sharif's visit to the Katas Raj temples was part of an effort to reach out to minority groups ahead of a general election scheduled for 2018

Times of Ahmad | News Watch | UK Desk
Source/Credit: Business Recorder
By Reuters | January 11, 2016

Excerpts

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday inaugurated the restoration of an ancient Hindu temple complex in Punjab, a symbolic gesture that may appeal to minority communities and soften the country's image abroad.

However, the visit and other recent overtures to minority faiths and women, including the passing of pro-women legislation, could also alienate powerful religious hard-liners opposed to social change.

Sharif's visit to the 900-year-old Katas Raj temples, one of the holiest sites in South Asia for Hindus, comes at a time when relations with India are at a low ebb and show few signs of improving.

"In my personal view, we are all are equal - Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians - and people belonging to other religions; we are all one," Sharif told Reuters after a Hindu ritual was performed at the temples, located in the village of Katas some 110 km (70 miles) south of the capital Islamabad.

Political analysts say Sharif's visit to the Katas Raj temples was part of an effort to reach out to minority groups ahead of a general election scheduled for 2018, and would also appeal to more liberal, urban voters in Pakistan.

Last month, Sharif re-named a university in honour of Abdus Salam, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist who was shunned for decades as he hailed from the small Ahmadiyya community. Sharif's attempt to burnish progressive credentials comes at a time when his party is confident it can retain power next year, boosted by the economic benefits from China's $57 billion investment in road, rail and energy infrastructure.

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