Unesco’s World Heritage Committee, in its draft decision on Shalimar Gardens and Orange Line Metro Train, clearly says that OLMT poses an irreversible and permanent threat to Shalimar Gardens, which is a World Heritage Site, and it may be taken off the World Heritage Sites list permanently if the project goes ahead as planned.

The World Heritage Committee released the draft decision keeping in view the longstanding debate on the transportation-led development project of the Punjab government. The government is carrying out construction work inside the 61-metre protective buffer zone of the international heritage site of Shalimar Garden in violation of international laws as well as the national antiquities act.

LAHORE: The World Heritage Committee (WHC) has released its draft decision regarding construction of Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) near the Shalamar Gardens on which it will finalize its decision through a vote of member states in the upcoming WHC meeting in July this year. This was stated by the representatives of civil society on Friday in a press conference here in Lahore Press Club.

Expressing their grave concern on construction work of OLMT, they said that despite the stay order of Lahore High Court on construction work near heritage sites, Punjab government is continuously violating the court orders. They informed that the decision draft of WCH clearly mentioned that the project poses an irreversible and permanent threat to Shalamar Gardens and Lahore Fort.

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If nothing is done to protect the ruins — already neglected and worn by time — they will fade into dust and obscurity.

The centre of a powerful ancient civilisation, Mohenjo Daro was one of the world’s earliest cities — a Bronze Age metropolis boasting flush toilets and a water and waste system to rival many in modern Pakistan.

Some 5,000 years on archaeologists believe the ruins could unlock the secrets of the Indus Valley people, who flourished around 3,000 BC in what is now India and Pakistan before mysteriously disappearing.

But they warn, if nothing is done to protect the ruins — already neglected and worn by time — they will fade to dust and obscurity, never taking their rightful place in history.

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Are you one of those people who love to explore the forgotten path? Want to rediscover hidden treasures that have withstood the test of time? Here are a few places in and around Karachi that might strike your fancy.

Chaukhandi Tombs 

It may sound creepy but you have to see this beautiful graveyard located near Landhi town on the N-5 National Highway, 29 kms east of Karachi. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, what makes these tombs unique are the intricate stone carvings that mark the graveyard of the Jokhio tribe. Jokhio was a tribe that was from the Samma tribe that is known as the clan of Rajputs.

Misri Shah Monument

Said to be one of the seven saints guarding Karachi from natural disasters, Misri Shah is also regarded as Abdullah Shah Ghazi’s brother.

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As requested by the World Heritage Committee at its 40^th session in 2016 (Istanbul, Turkey), a joint World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) Reactive Monitoring mission is due to be undertaken in the near future as soon as the invitation letter from the Government of Pakistan (Province of Punjab) is issued.

The World Heritage Committee at its 40th session (Istanbul, 2016) expressed its serious concern about the development of the Orange Line Metro and requested the State Party to prepare a visual impact study of the Orange Line Metro project to be presented to the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies before pursuing the works related to the Orange Line Metro associated with the Shalamar Gardens;

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LAHORE: The historic Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens may be removed from UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites if its team does not arrive in Pakistan to inspect the dangers faced by the two landmarks due to the construction of Orange Line train service, ARY News reported on Saturday.

It should be noted that Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens are mentioned as a single heritage/one unit site in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) list of world heritage sites.

According to details, UNESCO’s Reactive Monitoring Mission had submitted visa requests three months ago but the government is using delaying tactics to deny their requests.

The UN agency has expressed its concerns that a section of Shalimar Gardens is facing irreparable damage due to the construction of the train service.

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There are only a few cities around the globe which provide a magnificent amalgamation of modernity and history. One of these cities is the city of Lahore which is considered as one of the most prestigious cities in the South Asia. Moreover, it is not only the provincial capital of Punjab but also the cultural capital of Pakistan.

When one thinks of Lahore, one is bombarded with images of culinary delights, historically rich monuments and the culturally rich bazaars and what not. To further beautify your perception about Lahore, Jovago Pakistan have compiled a list of the historically rich places that stand high and mighty across the city.

Shalimar Garden Lahore

Considered to be one of the masterpieces of Mughal Era, Shalimar Garden is a must visit.

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