Sports cars trespass Lahore Fort

CM orders inquiry, action against those responsible

LAHORE:

Dozens of sports cars have been found racing and drifting at the Lahore Fort heritage site.

Local sources said members of influential families of Lahore as well as other areas of the province entered the historical  heritage site with their sports cars and indulged in racing, drifting and other competitions.

Walled City Authority Director General Kamran Lashari said he was saddened to see racing cars on the fort premises.

Wealthy sports car enthusiasts raced on the grounds of Lahore Fort, a world heritage site. Events that may damage the historic structure are strictly prohibited. Punjab CM, Usman Buzdar has ordered an inquiry from the Walled City Authorities. #etribune #news #Lahore #latest pic.twitter.com/7tCi9sastp

— The Express Tribune (@etribune) February 26, 2022

He said the permission was granted for two days for an event but the sports car owners continued to trespass the site afterwards. He said the authority would inform the officials concerned about the issue.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar reportedly taken notice of the reports of car racing and drifting at Shahi Qila. He sought a report from the DG of Walled City of Lahore Authority and ordered an inquiry.

The CM said disciplinary action should be taken against the officers who gave the permission.

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The control of the fort had been transferred from the archaeology department to the Walled City Authority and the Punjab government banned all types of private social functions at the site, including weddings and musical programmes.

The authority was set up to restore the historic buildings to their original condition. A team of technical experts uses special material for the restoration work so that the cultural heritage does not lose its essence. Special material and techniques were also used for the renovation and repair of the Shahi Qila.

The Punjab government as well as the World Bank spend hundreds of millions of rupees annually on its maintenance and repair.

A regular visitor to the fort, Rehman Ahmed of Samanabad, lamented that the racing cars allowed to enter the fort were causing damage to the heritage site.

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Muhammad Naseer of the old city area said action should be taken against officials responsible for the activity.

An official said vehicles carrying cricket players were allowed to drive up to Hazuri Bagh and not the fort.

According to a spokesperson for the Lahore commissioner's office, it did not allow car drifting in the fort nor did it give instructions to the Walled City Authority in this regard.

The spokesperson said all government institutions had been asked to assist in the video recording of the PSL trophy unveiling.

The spokesman added that the Walled City Authority, with its extensive experience in organising such events, had the power to prevent any violations.