LAHORE: The first meeting of the board of governors of the Punjab Heritage Foundation was at last held on Wednesday ever since its creation in 2005.

And the meeting was held only after Chief Secretary Khizar Hayat Gondal, who is also the foundation vice-chairman, showed interest in it.

The chief secretary, while presiding over the meeting, ordered a strategy for the preservation and rehabilitation of the archeological, historical and cultural sites in the province.

He reportedly constituted two committees – one for assessing financial aspect of the restoration and the other for pointing out the sites for preservation – giving the bodies six weeks to submit recommendations. The second committee was headed by former NCA principal Sajida Vandal.

Sources said Mr Gondal showed his serious concern over lack of interest in the past in holding foundation meeting. He said the board should meet after every two months.

During discussion on restoration of walled cities in the province, Punjab University Prof Dr Mehmood Husain opposed the handing over of the Lahore Fort to the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA). His point was that though archaeology department which previously owned the Fort lacked proper expertise in handling the monument, it was better than the WCLA which had nothing to protect or preserve it, the sources said.

The chief secretary orders all possible steps for the preservation and rehabilitation of the historical and cultural sites, and creation of public awareness on the issue.

Archeology Department Director General Dr Ismat Tahira said 400 monuments had been listed as historical heritage in Punjab. But, Prof Dr Mehmood Husain insisted the department had not included all archeological sites in the list.

The meeting was attended by MPAs Rana Arshad, Sadia Suhail Rana and officials concerned.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

Gruesome murders
Updated 12 Jul, 2025

Gruesome murders

Long-term security can only be achieved when there is equitable development across Balochistan.
Solar policy
12 Jul, 2025

Solar policy

SOLAR net metering reforms are back in the limelight. On Thursday, Power Minister Awais Leghari announced that he...
New hope
12 Jul, 2025

New hope

EDUCATION shapes the destiny of a nation. Sadly, Pakistan’s public education sector is experiencing a national...
PIA privatisation
Updated 11 Jul, 2025

PIA privatisation

While it does give the privatisation authorities a much-needed head-start, it will not be sustainable unless preceded by policy and regulatory reforms.
Beyond expectations
11 Jul, 2025

Beyond expectations

THESE are tough times, but the country is lucky enough to still be considered home by a large expatriate workforce,...
Train in vain
11 Jul, 2025

Train in vain

TALK of ‘revival’ of the long-dead Karachi Circular Railway has turned into a running joke for denizens of this...