LAHORE, June 8: A British era clock tower on The Mall has been demolished without obtaining permission from the authorities concerned.

The red tower of the West-End building located on the Donald Road — the area located between Regal and Dyal Singh Mansion — is no more and it is feared that its remaining structure may also be demolished.

Though the building is not protected under the Punjab Special Premises Ordinance 1986, there is a standing order that no building either protected or not on The Mall can be demolished or renovated without the government permission.

Punjab Archaeology Department director Shahbaz Khan told Dawn that all those buildings that were more than 75 years old and have historical and architectural significance or associated with a renowned personality were protected ones under the law. However, he said there was a proposal under consideration that all the buildings on The Mall should be declared protected.

The Lahore Conservation Society has expressed serious concern over the demolition of the tower. It said such a trend was very damaging for the heritage on The Mall.

Society information secretary Dr Ijaz Anwar said the building was constructed in the 1920s and probably owned by the then postmaster general, Charles Rose. He said the government must declare all buildings on The Mall protected so that no one could dare change their facet.

When contacted, DCO Mian Ijaz said the demolition of the red tower was not in his knowledge, however, he would ask the town administration to look into the matter.