The Supreme Court Tuesday disposed of Katas Raj suo motu case after cement factory owners came with a proposal that they would find a substitute water source, besides paying for the underground water they used so far. In Nov last, the apex court took notice on reports that the pond in Katas Raj Temple Complex was drying up because of nearby cement factories, which were drawing a large amount of water through a number of sub-soil wells.
A three-judge bench of apex court headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar conducted the hearing. During earlier proceedings, the court had ordered the federal and Punjab governments to form a special committee of experts to save the fabled Hindu temple. On Tuesday, Bestway Cement and DG Khan Cement proposed that they would submit Rs 2 billion - Rs 1.5 billion by Bestway Cement and Rs0.5 billion by DG Khan - as security until they are able to find an alternate source of water. They said they would build a small dam in the area, the outflow of which will be maintained in a way that the pond at Katas Raj is not adversely affected. They also proposed to pay the Punjab government for water that they use until then.
The Chief Justice noted that cement factories would also have to improve their smoke exhaust systems keeping in view the global standards. "If needed, the court will check the smoke exhaust system," he said. He said the factories should not cause pollution in the area and must ensure the pond in Katas Raj Temple is filled. He also noted that the chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) - responsible for maintenance of religious properties and worship places of Hindus and Sikhs, should be from a minority group.
The court had, earlier this year dismissed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz veteran Siddiqul Farooq from his ETPB chairmanship. "It is our responsibility to take care of the worship places of minorities," the Chief Justice said. The CJP said the pond should be filled through natural means while Justice Ijazul Ahsan noted that water levels in the area would rise once water pumps at the factories are shut down.
Additional Advocate General Asma Hamid informed the court that until alternate arrangements for water provision are made, the Punjab government would charge the factories for water usage, the tariff for which is yet to be decided. The factories are currently using water from a nearby river and underground sources. The court then wrapped up the case. It has yet to pass an order or formally accept the factories' proposals.
The Katas Raj Temple in Chakwal is one of the holiest sites in Hindu mythology. Legend has it that after the death of his wife Sati, Lord Shiva cried so inconsolably that his tears formed a pond that came to be known as the Katas Raj Pond. Around this pond, temples were built dedicated to the Hindu deities Shiva, Ram and Hanuman.
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