CM Naqvi chairs meeting on restoration of Punjab’s historical sites

Punjab Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi Tuesday chaired a meeting to review progress made on the Walled City of Lahore Authority projects, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The restoration of historical Kharrak Singh Haveli came under discussion at the meeting.

It was decided that to promote tourism, the rooms of the haveli would be restored to their original shape.

It was also decided that the best residential facilities would be provided at the haveli.

On the occasion, the chief minister ordered speeding up the construction of Lahore Fort’s café.

The meeting also reviewed the progress made so far on restoring Lahore’s historical gates and Qila Kuhna Qasim Bagh, Multan. 

The CM ordered the timely completion of both of these projects. 

Declaring Lahore’s gates and Multan’s Qila part of the country’s heritage, he said that the walls surrounding these historical sites would be restored to their original shape.

The chief minister expressed the hope that tourists would throng these sites in large numbers after the completion of these projects.

He further said that poles would be removed from The Mall, Lahore to revive its past glory. “After having done with the restoration of these sites, services of experts will be hired for their management,” he informed.

Briefing the meeting on the occasion, DG Walled City of Lahore Authority Kamran Lashari said work on the restoration of the city’s Bradley Hall was underway at a brisk pace. “People like Pundit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and Bhagat Singh have addressed functions at the hall,” he informed.

Lashari said that similar efforts were underway to restore Barkat Ali Islamia Hall.

Funds released for Lahore’s development projects

On the other hand, the notice taken by CM Naqvi has resulted in the release of funds of over Rs5 billion for Lahore’s mega-development schemes which earlier risked getting stalled on account of the stoppage of these funds.

The chief minister had taken notice of the non-release of funds during his visit to the Bund Road project on Thursday.

Resultantly, Rs2 billion have been released for Bund Road Access Corridor and Shahdara Multi-grade Separation and Flyover project each; over Rs1 billion released for the Khalid Butt Chowk Underpass project, and Rs4 million released in funds for the Khawaja Ahmad Hassaan Road project.

Reporter: Durre Nayab