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Islamabad: President Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday visited a temple of Lord Shiva in Karachi where he said historical places of all religions, including that of Hinduism, were an integral part of Pakistan's history and it was the priority of the government to maintain them.

Musharraf, currently on a visit to the Port city, drove down to a Shiv temple in the town which was one of the oldest in the region. He was received at the temple by its caretaker Suresh Manjani, state-run PTV reported. "Historical places of all religions including that of Hinduism are the integral part of Pakistan's cultural and geographical history," he was quoted as saying by PTV.

He said it was the priority of the government to keep them in shape so that they remain an asset and source of belonging for interfaith bonding and tourists around the world. Pakistan has some of the oldest Hindu temples which have remained neglected for over five decades. In 2004, the Pakistan government launched a Rs 10 crore project to renovate the Khatas Raj temple in Punjab province where the Pandavas are believed to have spent their exile. BJP leader LK Advani vusited the sprawling temple when he came to Pakistan.

India and Pakistan are currently working out a group tourist visa policy under which Islamabad plans to attract large number of tourists to visit historical places, including temples in the country.

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