Punjab launches Lahore heritage project

PML-N President Nawaz Sharif named as patron-in-chief of new authority

LAHORE:

The Punjab government has established the Lahore Authority for Heritage Revival (LAHR) under the patronage of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif.

According to a statement issued by the Pakistan Muslim League (N), a meeting was held under the leadership of PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The meeting led to the creation of the Lahore Authority for Heritage Revival (LAHR).

Nawaz Sharif will serve as the patron-in-chief of the steering committee for LAHR, and a sub-functional committee consisting of relevant officials has been formed. The meeting agreed to identify and remove encroachments from Lahore's historical sites.

Sharif directed that alternative spaces and compensation be provided to those affected by the encroachment removals. A comprehensive plan was requested for the restoration of Lahore's heritage areas.

The city has been divided into six zones, with restoration work set to begin simultaneously in all areas.

The ongoing work for underground shifting of electrical wires to enhance Mall Road's aesthetics was discussed, and five locations for underground parking in the city have already been identified.

Proposals for restoring the original appearance of the Blue Dome and the historical buildings along Circular Road, Baghichiyan, and Badru were reviewed, with a decision made to restore them to their original state.

Maryam Nawaz expressed frustration over the encroachments around Circular Road and historical gates, ordering the removal of obstacles to clear the view around Bhatti Gate and other gates.

The restoration of the Lahore Fort, the tombs of Jahangir and Noor Jahan, Shalimar Gardens, Kamran's Baradari, and other historic sites was also agreed upon. A proposal to create a pedestrian walkway from Shah Alam Market to Bhatti Gate is under consideration.

During the meeting, Nawaz Sharif said old Lahore is beautiful and needs to be restored to its original condition. He expressed that restoring the lost heritage of our historical landmarks should be seen as a national duty.

He noted that ruining the original and ancient character of cities was an inappropriate approach. Nawaz compared it to Europe, where even centuries-old palaces and buildings have been preserved in their original form. He said destroying national heritage is synonymous with backwardness.

Sharif stated that restoring Lahore's historical identity will benefit people across Pakistan, adding that before the creation of Pakistan, Lahore was considered the cultural center of Indo-Pakistan. Due to encroachments, no one prefers to visit the historic markets anymore.

Maryam Nawaz said the work is underway for the restoration of ancient Lahore, and the city will look much better in a few years.

She asserted that encroachments destroying the character of cities will not be tolerated. Merely restoring historic buildings is not enough, maintaining them is equally important, she remarked.