Nawaz Sharif has been appointed as the patron-in-chief of the Lahore Authority for Heritage Revival by his daughter, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. His responsibilities include overseeing the restoration of colonial-era buildings in Lahore. The opposition party has criticized the appointment, while Sharif himself emphasized the importance of preserving the heritage of old Lahore.
Nawaz Sharif, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, has obtained a position in the government led by his daughter, Maryam Nawaz, in Punjab province. He has been appointed as the patron-in-chief of the Lahore Authority for Heritage Revival (LAHR), where he will oversee the restoration of various colonial-era buildings in Lahore, as indicated by the Punjab administration’s official notification.
This new role comes after Nawaz Sharif had adopted a quieter lifestyle following the defeat of his party in the 2024 elections. The opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), promptly criticized this appointment, labeling it as a mockery of governance by congratulating him for securing a government role. Senior PTI leader Shaukat Basra commented on Sharif’s return from London in 2023, suggesting his attempts to reclaim leadership were thwarted by the military’s choice of his brother, Shehbaz Sharif, as Prime Minister instead.
Despite the opposition’s sarcastic remarks about his new duties, Nawaz Sharif has emphasized the importance of restoring Lahore’s rich heritage. He has called for a detailed restoration plan from the Walled City Authority Lahore, acknowledging that over 100 structures are recognized as historical heritage sites. Sharif articulated, “Old Lahore is incredibly beautiful and must be restored to its original form. Preserving our lost heritage is a national duty.”
In conclusion, Nawaz Sharif’s new role as the patron-in-chief of the Lahore Authority for Heritage Revival marks a significant shift from his previous political career. His appointment has been met with both cynicism from the opposition and acknowledgment of the critical initiative to restore Lahore’s historical buildings. As he undertakes this project, Sharif highlights the essential nature of preserving the region’s cultural legacy, signalling a potential return to public life in a different capacity.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
