The Punjab government has decided to replicate the model of the Walled City of
Lahore Authority (WCLA) in 11 other cities with an aim to conserve
heritage and architecture of these places as well as to create economic
opportunities through increased tourism.
Recently a summary was moved before the Punjab chief secretary with the
subject “Establishment of an Authority for Walled Cities of Punjab for
rehabilitation of heritage sites,” sources in WCLA said, adding the
government may expand the role of the Walled City of Lahore Authority across
the province.
Sources said the matter was discussed in a meeting of WCLA held on
December 14, 2015, under the chairmanship of the chief secretary, Punjab.
“The Agenda item No. 7 relating to the expansion of the Walled City of Lahore
Authority to Punjab was approved in the meeting,” sources maintained.
Sources claimed that a committee was constituted to look into the
possibility of the Expansion of the Walled City Authority for the cities of
Multan, Bhera and Shujaabad. Secretary LG&CD was the convener of the
committee while Secretary Finance, Secretary Law, DG WCLA, DCO Multan and
DCO Sargodha were its members and their task was to design the legal,
administrative and financial framework of the new authority.
Sources said that recently, in a meeting convened on 27-06-2016 under the
chairmanship of the chief minister, directions were given for the extension of
the Walled City of Lahore Authority to other historic cities of Punjab and
DG WCLA was assigned the task of submitting a detailed proposal.
A senior official of the Walled City of Lahore Authority said initially two
historic cities (Multan and Bhera) were proposed to be brought into the fold.
“The budgetary arrangements involve employees’ expenses amounting to
to Rs26,491,160 while the funds for carrying out operating expenses i.e.
(surveys, documentation, planning, designing, procurement, office relating
expenditure and hiring of consultant) amounting to Rs73,850,000/,” he
revealed.
DG WCLA Kamran Lashari while talking with The News said that Pakistan is a
a country rich in heritage and culture but a little neglected.
“The formation of this authority will help in preserving the heritage and
culture of Punjab. It will provide us with an opportunity to promote these
places as a tourist site along with the preservation,” he maintained.
Walled City of Lahore Authority’s senior official Tania Qureshi said we
had these gifts from our forefathers and we should try our best to
preserve these for future generations.
“At first we will start the projects from Multan and Bhera and later on
from other historic cities of Punjab,” she said, adding there are almost
11 cities we have identified as rich historic cities in Punjab and we will
be taking up all these for the preservation but in parts.
 | ReplyForwardAdd reaction |