Pakistan’s Punjab government has approved a major plan to restore the old, pre-Partition names of several roads and streets in Lahore. The move is being seen as an effort to reconnect the city with its historical and cultural roots.
According to officials, the decision was cleared during a Punjab Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The plan focuses on bringing back the original names of streets that existed before the 1947 Partition of India and Pakistan. Over the years, many of these names were changed to reflect Islamic identity or local figures, replacing British-era and Hindu-associated names.
Why is Lahore bringing back old street names?
Officials say the main aim is to revive Lahore’s rich heritage and cultural identity. Lahore, once a vibrant multicultural city before Partition, had street names that reflected a mix of British, Hindu, and local influences.
The restoration project is being led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif under the Lahore Heritage Areas Revival initiative. The government believes that restoring these names will help preserve the city’s historical character and educate future generations about its past, according to reports.
Which roads and areas are part of the plan?
Several well-known locations are included in the proposal. These include Queen’s Road, Lawrence Road, Empress Road, and Laxmi Chowk, along with areas like Krishan Nagar, Ram Gali, Jain Mandir Road, and Bhagwan Pura. These names date back to the time when Lahore had a diverse cultural identity before Partition.
Is this also linked to past criticism?
The move is also being viewed by some as a response to past criticism. Shehbaz Sharif, during his tenure as Punjab Chief Minister in 2015, faced backlash for demolishing historic cricket grounds and a traditional wrestling arena at Minto Park for urban development.
Now, the new proposal includes restoring a traditional ‘akhara’ (wrestling arena) and three cricket grounds at Minto Park. These places hold deep historical value. Legendary wrestlers like Gama Pehalwan and Imam Bakhsh once competed there. The grounds also trained famous cricketers such as Inzamam-ul-Haq.
