LAHORE, Nov 9: A sub-committee of the Dilkash Lahore Project’s core group recommended on Friday naming some 25 city roads, intersections and underpasses after as many personalities who did unforgettable service to the federation of Pakistan in particular and the subcontinent in general.

The committee in its meeting presided over by District Coordination Officer Noorul Amin Mengal and attended by Ms Sheerin Masood, Salima Hashmi, Iftikhar Ahmad, Hassan Mahmood Zaidi, Israr Ahmad and Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, also decided to forward a list of various personalities from different walks of life to the project’s core committee for further debate (if required) and final approval.

The body’s recommendations include naming the under-construction Model Town underpass after Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Fawara Chowk (Shadman) after Bhagat Singh and main Shadman Chowk (Jail Road) after Chaudhry Rehmat Ali.

The committee constituted to assist the city district government in this regard held an extensive debate before making the recommendations.

It recommended naming the Canal road underpasses from Doctors Hospital to Harbanspura and Barki Road (GT Road) after various personalities, including Chaakr-e-Azam Rind, Khushhal Khan Khattak, Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, Chaudhry Rehman Ali, Khan Liaqat Ali Khan, Baba Bulleh Shah, Hussain Shaheed Suharwardi, Waris Shah, Jogindar Nath Mandal, Colnel Mirza Hassan Gilgati, Hubba Khatoon and Pitras Bukhari.

It also recommended naming Ravi Road interchange on Ring Road after renowned Punjabi poet Ustad Daman, besides renaming Akbar Chowk in Township (that was named after a property dealer by the locals) as Jalaluddin Akbar intersection. Similarly, it recommended renaming Hamdard Road/intersection as Hakeem Saeed intersection and Niazi Chowk (that was named after Niazi bus terminal) as Ikramullah Niazi intersection (after a martyred police officer).

The body suggested renaming two stretches of Ring Road after renowned painter Sadequain and Justice A R Kayani. Other figures whose names were selected for the purpose included Maulana Mufti Muhammad Hassan, Maualana Abdul Qadir Azad, Allama Rashid Turabi, Habeeb Jalib, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Waheed Murad, Munir Niazi, Muhammad Hafeez Kardad.

The committee also recommended renaming Chowk Nakhuda in Misri Shah terming it “un-Islamic”. It decided the existing names of various city roads would not be changed as they were already named after famous personalities.

“We can even restore the old names of various city roads that were named after various personalities,” the DCO said. He said the committee would ensure representation of all segments of society while renaming the roads and intersections. He said the CDGL would also take action against those naming the city spots unlawfully.