LAHORE, June 12: The Lahore Fort guards will now be attired in Mughal era costumes, holding shimmering lances, to enhance the effect of the historical ambiance for the tourists, officials told Dawn.

The decision was made at a meeting held at Lahore Fort on Tuesday to take measures for promotion of cultural heritage of archeological sites in Punjab.

The meeting which was conducted by Archeology Director General Ismat Tahira was also attended by Tourism Managing Director Habibur Rehman Gillani, Punjab Small Industries Corporation MD, a senior official of Lahore Museum Dr Kanwal Khalid and other officials of archeology department.

Officials said the meeting held under the directions of Rana Mashhood, the Deputy Speaker of Punjab Assembly and Youth Affairs, Archeology, Tourism and Sports Secretary Haroon Ahmed Khan.

It was decided in the meeting that to promote cultural heritage and to impart knowledge of Mughal era lifestyle and culture to the tourists, the ministry would provide some 16 Fort guards costumes fashioned on the pattern of the clothes used in the times.

However, it was yet to be decided that which fashion institute or designer would be employed to design these costumes and when.

Display of murals depicting the lifestyle and culture of Mughal period was also part of the project, the officials said.

The meeting also decided souvenir shops would be opened at all important archeological sites in Punjab to promote tourism and to underline the importance of heritage and culture.

The officials said the idea of holding light and sound shows at such sites was also discussed in the meeting but it was not appreciated. Light and sound shows were staged in 90s at the Lahore Fort but were criticised by some experts who held that such arrangements damaged monuments, they added.