Valima reception lands WCLA into hot waters

Lashari says no such event is allowed inside Lahore Fort

LAHORE: Allowing an event management company to hold a dinner at the Royal Fort on Friday landed the Walled City Authority of Lahore (WCLA) into hot waters. Later, it turned out that the event was actually a Valima reception.

The sources said an event of Mehndi was also held at the same premises a few days ago. WCLA Director General Kamran Lashari has ordered an investigation into the incident.

The Valima reception at Royal Kitchen of the Lahore Fort has gained a lot of attention on social media and being widely discussed. It was revealed that the WCLA has allowed the event management company to hold a private dinner at the Royal Kitchen. The company was informed in writing that it would take care of the rules and regulations during the event, but the sources revealed that the company was hosting a Valima reception of the country's leading industrialist instead of a dinner.

During the ceremony, iron nails were dug in the floor of the royal kitchen for erecting tents while night lamps were also hung on the walls.

WCLA refused administrative control

After the details of the incident came to light, the Punjab chief secretary suspended the personnel concerned while the WCLA DG launched an inquiry into the incident.

A spokesman for the Walled City Authority said the wedding ceremonies cannot be allowed in the fort, however, corporate events were allowed at the premises of Royal Kitchen and at Hazori Bagh.

The spokesman claimed that no damage was done to any part of the fort during the ceremony.

The sources also revealed that a few weeks ago, an influential family held a Mehndi function on the premises of the Royal Fort. However, the WCLA spokesman said no such event was held.

The Royal Fort of Lahore has the status of a World Heritage Site and no one is allowed to hold an event which could potentially harm this historic site. Since the WCLA has taken control of this historic heritage site, there has been an increase in commercial activities and festivities.

“We have lodged an FIR against the company for violating the agreement and will sue them (the company). Their security deposit will be confiscated,” Lashari said

He said no one would be allowed to damage the historic heritage.

“As far as the ceremonies that were allowed to be held here, strict regulations and conditions are being followed. Under these regulations no nails can be dug on the walls or the floor, no advertisement could be pasted on the walls, no fire can be ignited against the walls and hanging night lamps are also prohibited. Moreover, no aerial firing is allowed here.”

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Sources said public ceremonies are common at the Hazoori Baagh of the Royal Kitchen. Important national festivals and events, are also held in honour of foreign dignitaries.

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has taken strict notice of the Valima ceremony held in the Royal Fort and has ordered the WCLA DG to submit a report in this regard. He said strict disciplinary action should be taken against those responsible.

Buzdar further said holding a wedding ceremony in a historic building like the Royal Fort was utter negligence and unlawful and legal action should also be initiated against those who organised the event. The CM directed the authorities concerned to take steps to prevent such incidents in the future.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2020.