LAHORE - Acting in compliance with the Prime Minister’s orders, authorities on Sunday started demolishing the boundary wall of the historic Governor House in Lahore.
Prime Minister Imran Khan had on Saturday directed the Punjab government to raze the outer wall of the Governor House to make the historic building visible to the general public from outside. The prime minister has also desired to convert this building into a university at a later stage.
Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood Sunday said that Governor House would also house an art gallery and a museum. He dispelled the impression that parts of this historic building were being demolished.
According to the plan, the concrete wall will be razed and replaced with an iron fence to clear the view for the general public. But the decision has incited criticism from some circles who think it is not appropriate to demolish the wall from security point of view given the precarious law and order situation.
Reportedly, Punjab Governor Ch Muhammad Sarwar is also opposed to the move and has only reluctantly agreed to give his assent to the new changes in the building which houses his office and residence. “Governor Sarwar thinks that it is a historic as well as purpose-built building to enable the governor discharge his official duties,” close circles of the governor told The Nation.
Prime minister’s decision, however, is in line with his election promises made with the electorate. Also, the prime minister has already ordered to convert KP Governor House at Nathiagali into a hotel to make it available to the tourists. Similar plans are also underway in respect of Governor House at Murree and Governor’s Annexe at Bhurban.