LAHORE: The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) has imposed a ticket of Rs100 for entering the Sheesh Mahal inside Lahore Fort which could previously be accessed for free by tourists who had purchased an entry ticket for the Lahore fort costing Rs30 only, Pakistan Today has learnt.
According to the information gathered on this matter, Pakistan Today further learnt that WCLA planned to restrict the increasing tourist influx at Sheesh Mahal in order to maintain the site, reduce damage to the flooring and restore it to its original condition, for which reasons the ticket was imposed.
On visiting the location, it was observed that tourists resisted paying for the ticket and argued with the management as they were not aware of the new development.
A tourist, Kazim Khan, was of the view that heritage sites should not be ticketed as such places should be accessible by all social classes. “If I am coming to Lahore Fort with seven family members then it means that I have to spend Rs800 just to see the Sheesh Mahal.”, he commented.
Another tourist Rehan Bajwa was happy with the decision and said, “I think putting a ticket on the entry of Sheesh Mahal is a good step by the management as it was deteriorating due to a large number of visitors. I have been to many other heritage sites around the world and I have seen a similar mechanism there. I also think that those with a purpose should visit the site”.
A tourist Fatima Afzal held a similar view to Rehan Bajwa and said, “I am a heritage lover and have been around several parts of the world but whenever I came to the fort, I was stunned at the number of tourists here. I think uncontrolled tourists are responsible for the damage of sites. They indulge in graffiti, pulling out stones and other types of vandalism. In my opinion, this is an amazing decision and the management should stick by it. In fact, the management should also impose tickets on other closed places in the fort so that people understand the sensitivity and importance of the place instead of taking it for granted”.
Adil Lahori who runs a heritage and tourism club in Lahore also appreciated the decision on Facebook and commented that WCLA should impose a ticket on the closed sites at Lahore fort so that those who are genuinely interested, can take a look at the hidden and closed places inside the fort.
WCLA Director Marketing and Fort Asif Zaheer while talking on the matter said, “Sheesh Mahal is a prized monument inside the fort and it was deteriorating with the increased influx of tourists. Thousands of people were visiting the place on a daily basis and this was resulting in the depreciation of the monument’s original floor and structure. To restrict the footfall and to start the restoration of the place WCLA took this decision and we have been supported by many for this decision. We need to make our places important so that the general public understands the sanctity of such places. Very soon we will also be starting with the documentation of the Sheesh Mahal which will lead to the conservation process.”
