Bharatiya Janata Party leader L K Advani has been assured that the ongoing renovation of historic temples at Katasraj in Pakistan’s Chakwal district would be expedited after he took up the matter with Pakistan Muslim League (Q) chief Chaudhry Shujat Hussain. Hussain had accompanied Advani to the temples during the latter's Pakistan visit in 2005 when the BJP leader drew the attention of the authorities there to the condition of the temples — known for their historic significance.

“I noted with concern the point raised by you about the perceived slowness in renovating the historic sites at Katasraj. Pursuant to our conversation, I personally followed up with the competent authorities at Chakwal to ascertain the current status of the project. I have been assured that the work is being undertaken with serious commitment,” Hussain said in a letter to Advani on Monday. The BJP leader had earlier called up the PML-Q leader to ensure the early completion of the renovation work.

During his June 2005 visit to Pakistan, Advani had described his visit to Katasraj “an important turning point in the relations between India and Pakistan”. “It was truly an honour for me personally, but more so a gesture of immense symbolic value for the people of India, that I was invited to lay the foundation stone for the project to restore the historic Hindu Temples at Katasraj, which have a deep significance for Hindus all over the world,” Advani had said in his speech on the occasion.

The departments of archaeology, public health engineering and building in Pakistan’s Punjab province are said to be involved in renovating the temples. Nearly 40 per cent of the work has been completed so far.