19 February 2004	Thursday	27 Zilhaj 1424

LAHORE, Feb 18: The federal archaeology department on Wednesday closed the gates of the Lahore Fort at 12 noon , barring entry to Punjab government officials and members of a private production company due to their failure to pay the agreed amount of money for holding a light and sound extravaganza.

However, the gates were opened at 4pm on the orders of the federal information and culture secretary, who reportedly asked the department to allow the show to go on as a "special case".

The Lahore district coordination officer and the Punjab information and cultural secretary had reportedly contacted the federal cultural secretary following the dispute and assured him that the government would pay the agreed amount after conclusion of the programme.

According to the agreement, the Punjab government had to transfer Rs2.5 million to the National Fund for Cultural Heritage prior to the five-day show sponsored by it, which started on Feb 15.

Besides, it also failed to compensate the fort canteen and parking lot contractors who had to close their businesses for five days. The fort would also remain close to the general public during the show.

The federal archaeology officials claimed that they had to take action as none of the Punjab government officials concerned paid heed to the matter. They said that DCO's principal staff officer had threatened them with dire consequences when they refused to open the gates.

The sources said the government had paid a huge sum of money to the Islamabad-based organization to conduct the show, but it was reluctant to pay the amount meant for maintenance of protected monuments.

The production company which has selected Jehangir's Quadrangle for the show is damaging it by running horses there. To add insult to injury, about 2,000 guests dined on fort premises during first two days of the show.

Under the Antiquity Act 1975, any cultural activity detrimental to a protected monument is strictly prohibited. The law also disallows large-scale feasts at such places.