LAHORE, Sept 6: The Federal Archaeology Department will get a grant of $1 million soon for the preservation and restoration of Sheikhupura Fort.

According to an official in the Federal Archaeology Department, the grant is being given by the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation. The Pakistani government is giving Rs16 million for the project, which will be complete in three years.

The official said the first phase of the project would focus on preservation, stabilisation and consolidation of the fortification and gateway. It will seek to preserve the royal mansion (Sikh Haveli), which houses fresco paintings.

The second phase of the project would move from preservation to restoration of the fort. The work would include restoration of missing terracotta lattice work and repair of the wooden gate and other woodwork.

The third and final phase of the project would focus on protecting and promoting the site. The work would include illumination of the entire site, landscaping and development of tourist facilities.—Shoaib Ahmed