Monday, June 19 2006 10:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Pakistan yesterday (June 18, 2006) dismissed as 'baseless' and 'factually incorrect' reports claiming that the Krishna Mandir in Lahore has been demolished.

"The media reports claiming that Krishna Mandir in Lahore has been demolished are baseless," the Pakistan High Commission here said in a press release.

It said the only Krishna Mandir that exists in Lahore is safe.

The temple referred to in the section of press is not the Krishna Mandir but an abandoned property being used partly as residential and commercial since the time of independence as per a clarification of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) of Pakistan, the release said.

Describing the media reports as factually incorrect, it said the Krishna Mandir was situated on Ravi Road whereas the property under reference was in Rang Mahal and both the locations were several kilometres apart.

"As no Mandir exists at the site, therefore, question of its demolition does not arise," the release said adding that a Mandir in Wachhowali Bazar, situation about 300 feet away from the property under reference was 'intact' and its surrounding property was being used for residential purpose by 35 occupants of ETPB since Independence.

The release said that on the contrary ETPB has made considerable improvements in a number of Mandirs including Krishna Mandir in Lahore and Sadhu Bela Shrine in Sukkur at a cost of Rs.13.8 million during the last three years.