LAHORE: The Punjab government has accepted the resignation of Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) Director-General Kamran Lashari after instructions from the Lahore High Court. The court is currently hearing a case regarding the holding of private functions at historical monuments and protected heritage sites, including the Lahore Fort. Lashari stepped down amid criticism over the use of such sites for commercial events, which the court observed violated preservation norms.

Following Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s approval, the Punjab Local Government and Community Development department notified acceptance of the resignation.

“The chief minister/chairperson WCLA has been pleased to accept the resignation tendered by Mr Kamran Lashari from the post of authority’s director-general. Mr Lashari shall cease to hold the office of the WCLA DG with effect from May 13,” reads the notification.

Mr Lashari had tendered his resignation on April 24 after the Lahore High Court reprimanded him for holding private functions at the historical monuments and protected sites, including the Lahore Fort. The government abruptly notified the acceptance of the resignation as it is supposed to submit it in compliance with the directions to the government during a hearing scheduled for Thursday.

Acknowledging that Mr Lashari had developed his expertise and managed the authority’s affairs quite articulately, sources say the S&GAD is expected to post another officer to fill the vacant post.

Mr Lashari had, in his resignation, stated that it had been a great honour and privilege for him to serve the WCLA as its DG. “I have endeavoured to fulfill my responsibilities with utmost sincerity and with the motivation to promote the peaceful and rich cultural image of Pakistan to attract both national and international tourism,” he stated.

The WCLA was established as an autonomous body in April 2012, and its jurisdiction was expanded across Punjab after the provincial cabinet’s approval in November 2023. Mr Lashari had been serving as its DG since the authority was established.

The episode of Mr Lashari’s resignation took place in compliance with the court hearing of a petition challenging the handover of the heritage sites, including Lahore Fort, Shalimar Gardens and Jahangir’s Tomb, to the WCLA by the provincial government.

A notification transferring control of the historic sites back to the archaeology department was also presented before the LHC.

Meanwhile, the WCLA is also in hot water after the approval of the project of reconstructing the ‘old fortified wall’ around the Walled City and the restoration of the Circular Garden was approved.

The LG&CD department had last month finalised a mega development plan to protect heritage and promote tourism in Lahore by rehabilitating ancient gates of the Walled City, reconstructing the old fortified wall around the Walled City, reviving the heritage zone, besides developing the underground parking lots in different old Lahore areas.

The department also had plans to restore the Circular Garden, of which some remains still existed in the shape of greenbelts, while most of its parts had been encroached upon by the wholesale markets.

Since the plan envisages the razing ofhundreds of shops built decades ago, many of them illegally, and the traders are resisting any such move with the launch of a protest movement.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2025