After completing installation of history plaques in the Delhi Gate, the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) has taken another initiative to place history plaques in the Bhatti Gate.
Under this new project, every monument, haveli, historical place and historical square from Bhati Gate to the Fort Road Food Street will be named as per its old and historical identity.
Sources said boards containing history of all important places will also be installed on the route. All boards have been designed as per international standards and colours, sources said.
A senior official of WCLA said the history of every monument, haveli, historical place and historical square from Bhati Gate till Fort Road Food Street was gathered from authentic books like Naqoosh Lahore Number, Tehqeeqat-e-Chishti, Tareekh-e-Lahore and other archival data. Local residents of the Walled City of Lahore have also been consulted for further authentication, he maintained.
Another senior official said the route included the house of Allama Iqbal, Mohallah Chomalah, house of the legendary singer Rafi, Gurdwara, Oonchi Masjid, the mosque where Peer Inayat Shah Qadri, spiritual father of Bullay Shah, was the Imam. He said that the Fakir Khana Museum and Naqsh Arts Gallery would be marked by placing special plaques.
Bazaar-e-Hakeeman, Tibbi Gali, Sheikhupurian Bazaar and Shajahani Mosque are also amongst other salient landmarks where history plaques will be placed.
He said that special plaques would be set up outside Aziz Theatre, one of the oldest theatres in Lahore, and Pakistan Talkies Cinema, a cinema of British era, to highlight their importance.
Tania Qureshi, Deputy Director Marketing and Media, said WCLA was trying its best to promote tourism through all means and mediums.
“The step will relay information about the places,” she maintained.
Director Marketing Asif Zaheer said, “These boards have been placed to facilitate tourists and visitors. This initiative has been taken up to promote tourism and monuments and important places inside the Walled City. Text on the plaques is bilingual to facilitate all types of tourists i.e. local and international.”
Walled City of Lahore Authority Director General Kamran Lashari told The News the authority was taking initiatives to facilitate tourists and uplift the Walled City. “Previously, we have placed history plaques at the Royal Trail Project inside Delhi Gate. In very near future we will be placing more in the entire Walled City,” he concluded.
Earlier, WCLA restored original names of streets along the recently renovated Royal Trail area in the Walled City. The Royal Trail area comprises important historical buildings including Delhi Gate, Masjid Wazir Khan, Shahi Hamam and Havelis. Officials in Walled City of Lahore Authority said 57 street names had been identified and plates were installed.
