On January 3rd Pakistan declared Panj Tirath, an ancient Hindu religious site in Peshawar, as a heritage site and people on both sides of the border are lauding this gesture by the provincial Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government. 

Reportedly, a notification was issued under the KP Antiquities Act 2016 to get the encroachments cleared from the area and handed over to archaeologists, so that they could start the restoration work. 

Reuters (For Representation)

Talking about the Panj Tirath, the heritage site got its name from the five pools of water present there. The site also includes a temple (which is said to be 1000 years old) and a lawn with date palm trees. The five pools now come under the Chacha Yunus Park and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 

In fact, the site has not only been declared as a heritage site, but the government has also announced that a fine of up to Rs. 2 million and 5 years of imprisonment will be charged against anyone who is found guilty of damaging the property.

Pexels (For Representation)

In 1747, the site was damaged by the Afghan Durrani dynasty and in the early 1800s, it was restored by the local Hindus during the period of the Sikh rule.

According to mythology, it is believed that king Pandu from the time of Mahabharata belonged to this area and the Hindus would often come to bathe in these five pools during the month of Kartheek, and worship under the date trees. 

Twitter is flooded with posts appreciating and lauding this gesture. 

These are news we love to hear. Actions matter more than words. Well done @ImranKhanPTI
Minorities deserve these gestures of care and oneness.

"Pakistan declares Panj Tirath Hindu religious site as national heritage | world news | Hindustan Times" https://t.co/uJNl2omGGv

— Rehan Ali Khan (@Rehan_Pro) January 4, 2019

A good step of Pakistan government towards be a friend of India.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has also announced a fine of up to Rs 2 million and imprisonment of 5 years if anyone is found guilty of destroying the Panj Tirath. #HinduismInPakistan https://t.co/Ol6pFowz8R

— ajeet singh patel ð®ð³ (@iAjeetSingh) January 4, 2019

While in #India, state governments are frantically changing names of places from Muslim to Hindu, in #Pakistan KPK government has declared the ancient Hindu religious site of Panj Tirath as national heritage. Well done. https://t.co/uPmSphjU8a

— Zafar Mehdi (@mehdizafar) January 4, 2019

After killing nearly all hindus in Pakistan they have declared Panj Tirath a heritage site.

IRONY died a billion deaths

— Sanatana Dharma ( Eternal order ) (@iTsIdIfqgRbe5aH) January 4, 2019

Happy to learn that Pakistan has declared Panj Tirath as a national heritage site. Sending peace and love to my brothers on the other side. @ImranKhanPTI @sherryontopp Let's prosper and thrive together!

— Indroneil Mukherjee (@IndroMukherjee) January 4, 2019

@silent_crusade1 While India is changing Allahabad's name. https://t.co/Y81R14LA5m

— Adnan (@IamAdnanSh) January 3, 2019

A wonderful news for the people look to future with hope and peace. https://t.co/BG55bxOghQ

— JeremyHassan (@JemHassan1) January 3, 2019

Here we want to do away with all Muslim monuments https://t.co/voNgGuIljO

— Chirping Bird (@Svaalbard) January 4, 2019

In other news, Pakistan has also approved the Hindu Marriage Bill, under which any Hindu living there can register their marriage and also appeal in court in case of a separation or a divorce. It also allows separated Hindus to remarry.

Source: The Times Of India