Historic sites: Progress on Walled City Project reviewed

5 heritage buildings being renovated in first phase.

LAHORE: Steps must be taken to check the construction of new buildings in the Walled City and control commercialisation in the area, Caretaker Chief Minister Najam Sethi said at a meeting to review progress on the Lahore Walled City Project at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Friday.

He said the conservation and maintenance of historical sites was a national responsibility. The economy too can benefit from tourism, said Sethi. The project could help generate revenue through tourist activity, he said.

Sethi said the government would provide the necessary funds. It could also seek funds from international donors.

Lahore Walled City Project Director General Kamran Lashari said renovation of heritage buildings was being undertaken in a phased manner. Five historical sites the Dehli Gate, the Shahi Hammam, the Wazir Khan Mosque and the Emperors Route were being restored in the first package. He said the World Bank and Aga Khan Trust for Culture had extended technical and financial cooperation to the project.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 4^th, 2013.