Stop damaging historical sites, says PAD DG

By Hina Farooq

LAHORE: The Punjab Archaeology Department (PAD) will ask the government to stop “damaging historical sites” by arranging functions or cultural shows, PAD director general Oriya Maqbool Jan told Daily Times on Monday.

Jan said the PAD had objected to the holding of the recent fashion show at the Lahore Fort and several other activities held in the past. “A directive will be issued to the officials concerned in a day or two,” he said.

The PAD DG said hammering on the walls of the monuments weakened them and affected their structural integrity. He said that there was no law prohibiting the use of historical sites for functions. “However, hammering nails on and damaging the walls of monuments is strictly prohibited under the Antiquity Act and the Special Premises Act 1975,” he said.

Jan said the PAD had decided to put a complete ban on any functions in or near historical sites. He said a formal announcement in this regard would be made soon. He said the PAD would not allow anyone to use Dewan-e-Aam, Dewan-e-Khas, Sheesh Mahal, Jahangir’s Quadrangle or any place under its control.

Lahore Fort curator Afzal Khan also told Daily Times that private arrangements were not allowed in or around the fort. Private companies arranged gatherings for their customers and VVIPs with special permission from the chief minister.

The recent fashion show was arranged by a private company and a ramp had been made for the purpose on the Lahore Fort premises. Many people reportedly scaled the fort’s walls to enter the premises and attend the function. In the past too, a number of functions had been held at the Lahore Fort, Shalimar Garden and Bahadur Yar Jung Kokal Tash’s tomb.

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