LAHORE, Feb 17: The Nishter Town Nazim on Thursday hosted a lunch in honour of over 150 guests in the Shalamar Gardens in clear violation of the Antiquity Act 1975, Unesco charter and the chief minister's order.

Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi had banned all private and public functions at the historic Lahore Fort and the Shalamar Gardens six months ago after a function was organized at the former premises by the City District Government.

He had directed the provincial archaeology department which had taken over the two monuments in July, 2004 not to grant permission to the private sector and government departments to use these monuments for holding events on any pretext.

Under the Antiquity Act and Unesco rules, no private or public events are allowed to be held in monuments as these are considered a threat to their conservation. Unesco has already placed the Shalamar Gardens on the list of endangered monuments and urged the authorities concerned to take immediate measures for its preservation.

In the fresh event, the Nishter Town Nazim, Maj Rafique Hasrat (retired), and union councillors hosted the lunch in honour of a guest from London. Sources said the Nazim did not obtain formal permission from the archaeology department.

They said the Punjab government, on the one hand, was preparing a master plan for preservation of the garden and on the other, leasing it out for vandalism.

When contacted, Punjab Archaeology Department Director-General Orya Maqbool Jan said the Nazim had taken permission from the department for holding the lunch. He said the function was arranged on the lawns of the garden, which caused no damage to the monument.

Mr Jan said a monument was damaged when an event was held in places like Dewan-i-Aam of the fort. He added that there was a ban on conducting light and sound shows in these monuments.

Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1642, the Shalamar Gardens is placed on the world heritage list, besides archaeological site of Moenjodaro, historic monuments of Thatha, archaeological remains of Taxila, Buddhist ruins of Takht-i-Bhai, city remains at Sehri Bahlol, Rohtas Fort and Lahore Fort in Pakistan.

Fountains and lights at the garden are either broken or out of order and the whole structure requires immediate repair. Encroachments and traffic on the road outside the monument are a threat to its existence. Under the Antiquity Act 1975, no construction is allowed within 200 feet of a monument.

The unique hydraulic system or the Shalamar Garden was part of the Inyat and Angoori gardens. However, these gardens do not exist any more and houses and markets have taken their place.

During the British rule, the hydraulic system was disconnected from the Shalamar Gardens for the construction of the GT Road. In 1998, some 50 per cent of the system was demolished for widening the road.

The adjoining fountain built by the Lahore Development Authority has also been demolished. About three-kanal land in front of the hydraulic system has reportedly been occupied by some influential people.