Pakistan puts Lahore Heritage renaming plan on hold after backlash
Babushahi Bureau
Lahore (Pakistan), May 27, 2026: The Punjab government in Pakistan has reportedly stepped back from its decision to restore several historic pre-Partition names of roads and localities in Lahore after facing criticism from religious groups and online campaigners.
The proposal, approved earlier this year by the Lahore Heritage Areas Revival (LAHR) committee during a meeting chaired by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, aimed to revive Lahore’s historical and multicultural identity by restoring several Hindu, Sikh and colonial-era names.
However, the provincial administration now appears to have put the move on hold. Lahore Deputy Commissioner R Muhammad Ali Ijaz reportedly stated that no final decision had been implemented yet and that discussions on the matter were still ongoing.
According to officials, the proposal triggered strong reactions from extremist groups and social media commentators who objected to the restoration of names associated with Lahore’s non-Islamic past. Sources said the government decided to defer the move to avoid further controversy and public backlash.
Following the criticism, the LAHR committee held another round of discussions involving historians, urban planners, scholars and heritage experts to seek broader consensus on preserving the city’s cultural legacy.
The proposed changes included restoring older names such as Queen’s Road, Lawrence Road, Krishan Nagar and Laxmi Chowk, which had been renamed over the years by successive governments.
Officials associated with the heritage project argued that the initiative was intended to preserve Lahore’s historical identity and reconnect the city with its pre-Partition cultural roots.
The restoration plan was also linked to broader heritage revival efforts, including proposals to revive historic sports grounds and traditional wrestling arenas associated with Lahore’s past.