LAHORE: Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the officials concerned to raze the outer wall of the Governor House, Lahore, to make the colonial-era building visible to the general public.

The prime minister issued this instruction following a meeting with Governor Chaudhry Sarwar here on Saturday.

It immediately drew strong reaction and the critics said it’s insane to demolish the historic wall of the Governor House.

Former chief minister Shahbaz Sharif during his stint had also directed the officials concerned to demolish the outer wall of the Government College, Lahore, and iron grills were installed so that people could see the historic college building from outside. However, the grills were covered with climbers.

The prime minister’s direction was made public by chief minister’s spokesman Dr Shahbaz Gill through his tweet: “PM ordered to demolish Governor House Lahore’s boundary wall immediately.”

Later, in a video message, Dr Gill said these buildings were constructed in colonial era as a power symbol and to create “power distance”. “The big houses of top government functionaries were established to show that they were strong and masses were weak.”

He also hinted that the government would soon come up with another plan to “better use” the Governor House majestic building for the benefit of people at large.

Lawyers say the demolition of the boundary wall of the Governor House will be a violation of The Antiquities Act 1975 as the premises is a protected one.

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2018