Walled City rehabilitation project initiated

Punjab Chief Minister, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has said that government is implementing a comprehensive programme for the conservation and rehabilitation of national and cultural heritage and a massive project for the rehabilitation of the Walled City has been initiated to highlight the cultural significance of Lahore.
He stated this while talking to a delegation of Agha Khan Trust led by General Manager of Agha Khan Trust for Culture Luis Monreal, here on Monday. An agreement under private-public partnership was also signed on the occasion between Punjab government and Agha Khan Trust for Culture. Director General Project Management Unit Humayun Farshori signed the agreement on behalf of Punjab government while Luis Monreal signed the document on behalf of Agha Khan Trust for Culture.
The chief minister maintained that this project costing an amount of Rs 6 billion will bring about improvement in infrastructure, social services and tourism sector. Under an agreement signed with Agha Khan Trust for Culture, the Trust will provide cooperation in the form of study, survey, development planning and technical support for this project to be executed under private-public partnership. He added that the project for the rehabilitation of the Walled City is being implemented expeditiously and will be completed in a record period of time.
He said that government is taking a number of steps for highlighting the significance of Punjab with regard to its culture and civilisation. He added that this project is aimed at improvement of infrastructure, promotion of tourism, generation of economic activities and conservation of cultural heritage. He said that this project will also result in beautification of the Walled City, improvement of roads, streets, parks, electricity and water supply and sewerage system as well as availability of better education and health facilities for social development.
He said that rehabilitation and renovation of 1.6km long royal passageway from Delhi Gate to Masti Gate will enhance the historical and cultural attraction of the city. He said that special attention is being paid to avoid inconvenience to the residents of this area in the execution of the work regarding laying of sewerage, communication system, construction of roads and other infrastructure.
He said that the process of removal of encroachments will be completed efficiently and the construction work will be initiated within a month. He said that alternate site will be provided to the concerned shopkeepers for setting up their business. He said that rehabilitation work of Shahi Hamam and Bauli Bagh will also be started shortly.
He appreciated the cooperation of World Bank and Agha Khan Trust for Culture in the implementation of the project for the rehabilitation of the Walled City. General Manager Agha Khan Trust Luis Monreal said that the agreement of cultural cooperation signed with Punjab government has provided a unique opportunity for strategic partnership and it will be the first agreement of its kind in cultural sector.
He said that the project for the rehabilitation of the Walled City is being implemented speedily and Agha Khan Trust will soon establish its office in the city for supervision of the project. He further said that completion of this project will improve the living standard of the people as well as result in promotion of tourism. He said that Agha Khan Trust for Culture is also implementing similar projects in Egypt, Syria and other Islamic countries. He said that the project will be completed within stipulated period and result in highlighting the historical and cultural significance of Lahore.
Chief Secretary Punjab Salman Siddique, Senior Urban Specialist of World Bank Shahnaz Arshad, Chairman Agha Khan Cultural Service Akbar Ali Pasnani, Consultant Agha Khan Trust Masood Khan and CEO Salman Baig, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Punjab G.M. Sikandar, Senior Member Board of Revenue Javed Syed, Secretary Information Ashfaq Gondal and Secretary Planning & Development Shahid Mahmood were also present on the occasion.