Pakistan’s Punjab government has approved a plan to revert the names of various historic streets and roads in Lahore to their pre-partition names. The decision was reportedly made to preserve the historic city’s cultural identity and heritage.
After partition, many landmarks, which were associated with Hindu and Jain culture, were given names connected with Islamic, Pakistani, or local historical figures.
Queen’s Road was renamed Fatima Jinnah Road while Jail Road changed to Allama Iqbal Road. Davies Road became Sir Aga Khan Road and Lawrence Road turned into Bagh-i-Jinnah Road. Meanwhile, Empress Road was renamed Shahrah-i-Abdul Hameed bin Badees.
Names linked to Hindu and Jain communities that underwent an overhaul were Krishan Nagar to Islampura, Santnagar to Sunnat Nagar, Dharampura to Mustafabad, Brandreth Road to Nishtar Road, and Temple Street to Hameed Nizami Road.
Similarly, Laxmi Chowk was renamed Maulana Zafar Ali Khan Chowk, Jain Mandir Road turned into Babri Masjid Chowk, Ram Gali became Rehman Gali, Kumharpura was changed to Ghaziabad, and Outfall Road became Jeelani Road.
A Punjab government official told PTI, “The Punjab cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, approved a plan a few days ago to restore the original and historical names of various streets and roads in Lahore and its neighbourhood.”
He said the decision was made to revive the city’s pre-partition heritage.
The official also added that the move was led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who currently heads the Lahore Heritage Areas Revival Project. Sharif’s proposal received cabinet approval last week.
The former Prime Minister also proposed restoring three cricket grounds and a traditional wrestling arena at Greater Iqbal Park, formerly Minto Park, after his brother, current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, faced backlash for demolishing historic sports sites as part of an urban development project during his tenure as Punjab Chief Minister in 2015.
