PWCHAA promoted tourism, heritage across Punjab in 2023

LAHORE : Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Areas Authority (PWCHAA) has released its annual performance report for the year 2023 during which various projects were completed to restore, preserve, conserve and promote tourism and heritage across Punjab.

The Punjab government has expanded Walled City of the Lahore Authority (WCLA) to the provincial level for the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. The authority was now be known as the Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Areas Authority, as announced in a notification by the Department of Law and Parliamentary Affairs.

Kamran Lashari, the DG of the Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Areas Authority, stated that the authority will work on special historical sites and culture throughout the entire Punjab. The authority will strive to preserve the culture of Punjab, ensuring its safeguarding for future generations. He also released the yearly report of the WCLA.

As per the yearly report, WCLA, in the year 2023, initiated several significant projects to promote tourism and heritage, which included the Shahi Guzargah Package 4 from Chowk Purani Kotwali to Sunehri Masjid in the walled city of Lahore. This project aimed to revitalize around 33 streets, markets, approximately 162 buildings and extended up to Sunehri Masjid.

The preservation and restoration of the historical Sunehri Masjid have been successfully completed at a cost of 20 million rupees, with technical assistance from the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Areas Authority has also initiated the preservation and restoration work of the Androon Lahore gates. The project, included the Lohari Gate, Kashmiri Gate, Sheranwala Gate, Roshnai Gate, and Bhati Gate and was started on Nov 6, 2023. The estimated cost for this project is approximately 72.45 million rupees, and it is anticipated to be completed by March 31, 2024.

The scope of work involves the restoration of the interior portions of these gates, strengthening the structures, ensuring the functionality of gates, eliminating illegal structures and shops, and improving the parking and security systems.

Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Areas Authority has started the preservation and restoration work of Bhati Gate. The project, initiated on July 7, 2023 with an estimated cost approximately 1730 million rupees and was expected to be completed by June 30, 2024.

Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Areas Authority was undertaking the restoration and preservation work of Kocha Shah Hussain. Located to the south of Wazir Khan Mosque, this area comprises 17 historical and 13 traditional buildings. The Punjab government is allocating approximately 90 million rupees for this project.

The restoration and preservation activities in Kocha Shah Hussain include façade improvements of houses, new and improved sewage system, underground installation of electrical wires, a clean water plant, designated spaces for tourists to sit, a washroom facility for tourists, and signage boards. The project is expected to be completed within two years.

The revitalization project of Kocha Shah Hussain also involves collaboration with the American Embassy and the Aga Khan Cultural Service for the restoration of two historical buildings, H 655 and Hafiz Imam Gamu's mausoleum. The overall restoration of Kocha Shah Hussain is progressing swiftly and is set to be completed in the year 2024.

The Lahore Fort and its buffer zone were experiencing tourism development through a collaboration between the Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Areas Authority and the Agence Française de Development (AFD) in 2022. Under this agreement, initiatives have been undertaken for the establishment of a buffer zone around the Shahi Qila (Royal Fort) and Badshahi Mosque, focusing on the promotion of tourism. As part of this project, the Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Areas Authority is improving infrastructure along Ali Park to Data Darbar Road, including the underground installation of electrical systems. Façade and infrastructure improvements are the important elements of this project. Improvements to facilities and connections, along with the implementation of a better sewage and rainwater system, are being introduced.

Within the Lahore Fort, many hidden chambers with Picture wall were untouched since ages. A project has been initiated to restore and rehabilitate these chambers. Additionally, there are restoration and rehabilitation projects for Akbari Gate and Samar Palace to be converted into museum. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture is actively contributing to the execution of these projects inside the Lahore Fort. The project, conducted in collaboration with the AFD, is ongoing and expected to be completed in 2027.

In 2023, the Walled City of Lahore Authority continued History by Night and Royal Trail Guided Tours. Across these various tours, 18,000 tourists explored the Walled City of Lahore in 2023. During the year 2023, 1146522 tourists visited Lahore Fort.

To promote tourism, the Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Areas Authority initiated two unique tours in the Walled City named "Vekh Androon Lahore" and "Roshan Galiyan."

In March 2023, a Sound and Light Show was organized in Hazuri Bagh through collaboration between Bank of Punjab and Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Areas Authority. This show continued for five days, with 200 3D characters, attracting a large audience.

In November 2023, the Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Areas Authority organized the "Lahore Lahore Hai" festival. This festival lasted for seven days, featuring celebrations in Lahore Fort and the Walled City. The events included Punjabi poetry, Qawali Night, Jhoolay Laal, and other significant performances, delighting the public.

Under the auspices of the Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Authority and Ishq Abad, the "Jashn-e-Iftikhar Arif" event infused literary vibrancy into the city's cultural space, bringing together representatives from poets, writers, intellectuals, journalists, and government institutions nationwide. Undoubtedly, this three-day literary conference assumed the form of a cultural festival, contributing significantly to the tradition of literary events with a pleasant and noteworthy addition.

The Walled City of Lahore Authority has successfully completed the restoration work of special places within Lahore Fort, such as Diwan-e-Khas, Kala Burj, Lal Burj, Shish Mahal, and Akbari Hammam in 2022, with an approximate cost of 32 million.

Ongoing projects included the preservation of Diwan-e-Aam, Daulat Khana-e-Khas (both private and public sections), Haveli Kharak Singh with a budget of 60 million. Additionally, the conservation work of Mural Wall in the northern part and Sheesh Mahal is underway in collaboration with Agha Khan Culture Support Pakistan.

Following the restoration and maintenance of the tower/bastion located in the wall of Lahore Fort near the Shah Burj Gate, it has been designated for the Cafeteria Terrace after conservation. The aim is to enhance the dining facilities for tourists and provide more options.

The Walled City of Lahore Authority was swiftly working on the restoration of Kharak Singh Haveli, started in April 2023, with an estimated cost of 9 crore rupees. The project is expected to be completed by March 2024.

The Walled City of Lahore Authority has inaugurated the Dilkash Lahore Project on Mall Road to enhance its beauty. This initiative is part of the Beautiful Punjab Project aimed at beautifying major cities in the province.

Dilkash Lahore, Dilkash Multan, Dilkash Bahawalpur, and Dilkash Faisalabad Projects have been started in 2022 and are progressing rapidly, with 70% completion. The cost of the Dilkash Faisalabad project is estimated at 295 million rupees, set to be completed in two years. Similarly, the Dilkash Multan project, with a cost of 298 million rupees, is expected to be finished within two years. The Dilkash Lahore project, costing approximately 487 million rupees, has completed its documentation and is currently in progress. The Dilkash Bahawalpur project, with a budget of 300 million rupees, is slated for completion in 2024.

A master conservation plan for Lahore's historical preservation has been finalized and approved to revive its rich heritage.

In 2022, the Department of Auqaf handed over 21 shrines and mosques to the Walled City of Lahore Authority for restoration and maintenance. Noteworthy shrines, including Baba Farid Ganj Shakar, Bahauddin Zakariya, Shah Rukn Alam, Hazrat Shah Shams, Mazar Bibi Pak Daman, Tomb Khwaja Ghulam Farid, Hazrat Mian Mir Sarkar, Tomb Hazrat Shah Jamal, Tomb Musa Ahangar, Tomb Hazrat Abdul Razak Nila Gumbad Lahore, Tomb Hazrat Moj Darya, Tomb Hazrat Shah Burhan Chiniot, Shahi Masjid Chiniot, Mazar Hazrat Rajan Qatal uch Sharif, Mazar Hazrat Jalaluddin uch Sharif, Tomb Hazrat Mehboob Subhani Uch Sharif, Tomb Hazrat Fazluddin Ladla Uch Sharif, Tomb Hazrat Makhdoom Jahanian Jahan Gesht uch Sharif, Badshahi Masjid Lahore, Barkat Ali Islamia Hal.

Notable protected shrines include Darbar Dargah Hazrat Shah Rukn Alam (Rs55.7 million and Hazrat Shah Shams Tabriz (Rs28 million), Hazrat Bibi Pak Daman, Multan (Rs21.69 million) and Hazrat Khwaja Ghulam Fareed's Mazar, Kot. Mithan cost Rs21.84 million, Bahauddin Zakaria cost (Rs17.56 million), Hazrat Mian Mir restoration cost (Rs48.08 million) were completed.

Significant preservation projects for minorities at various locations have been completed in 2023. Notable sites include the Presbyterian Church (Naulakha) on Nicholson Road (costing 23.87 million rupees), Cathedral Church on Rupay (13.35 million), Mall Road (Phase 2), Sacred Heart, Cathedral Church on Lawrence Road (Phase 2, costing 15.4 million), Catholic Church Saint Francis Asiaticus Saho Wala in Sialkot (23.23 million), Shivala Temple in Sialkot (23.54 million), Saint Mary De Virgin Cathedral Church in Multan Cantonment (37.94 million), and Christ Church on Jinnah Road, Rawalpindi Cantonment, and Garden of Mahabit Khan Lahore (costing 9.8 million).

About the ongoing projects, DG WCLA Kamran Lashari said several projects were currently on going, including the rapid restoration and preservation of the Mausoleum of Hazrat Musa Pak, Hazrat Shah Shams Tabrizi Subzwari Dum, Hazrat Baba Farid ud Din, Badshahi Mosque, and Hazuri Bagh, set to be completed by 2024.

Preservation projects are also underway for Lal Qila in Multan, the Old DC Office Complex in Sargodha and the Commissioner Office in Sargodha.

The Walled City of Lahore Authority has collaborated with the Evacuee Trust Property Board on the preservation of Haveli Bhoman Shah in Dipalpur, Haveli Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Gujranwala, Haveli Bakshi Ram in Gajju Khan, and Gurdwara Bhai Karam Singh in Jhelum. Initial reports are being reviewed for these projects, and work will commence soon after approval.