LAHORE: The Bhati Gate area which is sprinkled with famous places was flooded by people on Saturday afternoon, when the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) organized a photo walk inviting both professional and amateur photographers to participate.

The many attractions that the photographers came to witness with information given by a local guide also from the WCLA included the Bhati Gate itself, Victoria School, Allama Iqbal house, Laal Masjid, the shop of singer Muhammad Rafi, Unchi Masjid, Faqeer Khana Museum, Naqsh School of Art, Thara Allama Iqbal, Tafu Brothers house, Sir Ganga Ram house, Aziz Theatre, Pakistan Talkies, Noor Jahan house, Ustaad Daman Academy and many other smaller, and less famous places situated within the Bhati Gate area.

Later all groups converged at the Food Street near Lahore Fort and were served refreshments. “The purpose of the walk is to promote tourism and cultural awareness,” said WCLA Deputy Director Marketing and Media Tania Qureshi.

WCLA Director Marketing and Lahore Fort Director Asif Zaheer, and many others from the WCLA also attended.

Participants of the walk toured through and photographed famous places as well as people.

“I particularly enjoyed photographing the buildings of this area as they are very different than those in other parts of Lahore,” said Maria who is an amateur photographer.

“I enjoyed the tour although the noise of the traffic often drowned out what the guide was telling us, but such tours are a welcome change for our run of the mill life, and more such tours will not only help promote WCLA’s work but will also help Lahoris and even foreigners become more aware of the original walled city,” said a foreigner who added that the area was full of tourist friendly people who did not mind being pictured, and that the real dynamic life of Lahore could be seen in a place such as Bhati Gate.

Other stops included Gali Maulana Rohi, Mohalla Niyariyan, Gali Osti Ram, Mohalla Jalotiyan, Sheikhupooriyan Bazaar, Neewan Chetram, Katri Mela Ram, Mohalla Pat Ranga, Shish Mehal Ghaati, etc.

“It is very important to understand the culture of the old city and the life there, because it is also passed on through generations,” said Tania Qureshi.

Published in Dawn, October 11th , 2015

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