Monuments in city are precious cultural heritage F.P. Report


LAHORE: District Coordination Officer, Lahore, Sajjad Ahmed Bhutta has said that 144 historical monuments in Lahore are a precious cultural heritage of the country and the government is taking all possible measures for removing encroachments around them for preserving their architectural beauty. He was presiding over a high level meeting which was also attended by Director Archeology as well as heads of various concerned departments. The meeting was informed that out of 144 historical buildings in Lahore, encroachments have been constructed in the premises of 124 buildings which have marred architectural beauty and grandeur of these monuments. It was further stated that encroachments are also leaving a negative impact on the tourist and cultural significance of the city. The DCO said that government will not tolerate any encroachment or illegal structure around these monuments. He directed the officers concerned to submit a detailed report to him within three days about the pace of progress regarding removal of encroachments around the historical buildings in their respective jurisdiction. The meeting was informed that demarcation of 53 monuments has been completed in Data Gunj Bukhsh Town while 57 have been cleared of encroachments. Similarly, notices have been issued by DCO Lahore for removal of encroachments at 48 kanal 16 marla 164 sq.ft. of the area in Kari Bagh Lake Road Old Anarkali where the tomb of the daughter of a French Officer is located and various encroachments like Najam Hostel, Al-Miraj Marriage Hall, Munshi Chamber, Rana Chamber and Habib Bank have been constructed. Lahore Municipal Corporation has sold three kanal, 9 marla and 137 sq.ft. land at Ewing Hall Nila Gumbad. Director Estate Lahore was directed to prepare a record in this regard and submit his report in the meeting of the committee on July 18. Moreover, two shops constructed at the land of Lakshami Building McLeod Road Lahore comprising an area of four kanal 13 marla and 203 sq.ft. have already been demolished. DCO Lahore directed TMO Data Gunj Bukhsh Town to submit him a report for the approval of the construction plan. Similarly, three shops have been constructed at the residence of Allama Dr. Muhammad Iqbal measuring an area of eight kanal four marla and 224 sq.ft. at 34-A McLeod Road which is a property of federal government. Patwari of the area was directed to inspect the site and provide a report along with the relevant record. It was further informed that 25 shops have been rented out by Provincial Auqaf Department located at Barkat Ali Hall at Circular Road. Auqaf Department was directed to cancel the agreement so that encroachments could be removed. Similarly, Auqaf Department has rented out four shops at the tomb of Hazrat Abu Al Muali over an area of two kanal 66 sq.ft. This land is the property of federal government and one Mehtab Din s/o Noor Din. Auqaf Department was asked to cancel the agreement so that encroachments could be removed.