LAHORE: In a meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif, the Lahore Authority for Heritage Revival (LAHR) has been established. The authority is designated with the responsibility to restore and preserve historical heritage sites in the province.
Nawaz Sharif has been named as the Patron-in-Chief of the steering committee of LAHR. A sub-functional committee of the LAHR consisting of relevant officers has also been established.
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The meeting also reached an agreement on identifying and removing encroachments from Lahore’s historical sites. The new patron-in chief issued directives to provide alternative space for businesses and pay compensation to the affected.
A comprehensive plan has been sought for the restoration of Lahore’s heritage areas. For this purpose, the metropolitan city has been divided into six zones. The meeting agreed on the proposal to start work simultaneously for the restoration of heritage areas in all zones.
Meanwhile, work is underway on shifting of electricity wires underground, for the aesthetic improvement of Lahore Mall Road. Additionally, five locations have been identified in the city for underground parking sites.
Suggestions and recommendations were reviewed regarding the restoration of the original appearance of the Neela Gumbad. It was also decided during the meeting that Circular Road and surrounding areas are restored to their original state.
CM Maryam Nawaz expressed her anger over the encroachment around Circular Road and historical gates. She also issued instructions to remove obstacles to clarify the landscape of Bhati Gate along with others.
A proposal to build a pedestrian walkway from Shah Alam Market to Bhati was considered. Nawaz Sharif said, “Old Lahore is very beautiful. It is necessary to restore it to its original state. Returning the lost legacy of historical heritage should be considered a national duty.”
He said that deterioration in the original and ancient condition of cities is not appropriate behavior. “Europe has maintained its cities in their original form for centuries.” He said that destroying national heritage is tantamount to dereliction.
“Before the formation of Pakistan, Lahore was considered the cultural center of Indo-Pakistan. Now, no one likes to go to historical markets due to encroachments.”
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CM Maryam Nawaz said that the provincial government is working on the restoration of ancient Lahore. “Lahore will look good in the next few years,” she said, adding that spoiling cities with encroachments will not be allowed.
“Restoring historical buildings is not enough, it is also necessary to maintain them. The historical gates of Lahore will be restored to their ancient form,” CM Maryam Nawaz said.