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Badshahi Masjid being renovated after 27 years |
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Written by Hina Farooq Daily Times
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Tuesday, 05 June 2007 |
 LAHORE: The Punjab Archaeology Department (PAD) officials on Sunday said the PAD is renovating the Badshahi Masjid after an interval of 27 years.
They said the PAD had planned to renovate the verandah (made up of red sandstone) of the mosque more than a decade ago. They said the PAD could not start the work due to lack of funds. They said the PAD had no red stone experts at its disposal. They said the stone, imported from India, had been stacked at the back courtyard of the mosque since 1980s. The Rs 40 million project would be completed by 2010, they added.
They said the unavailability of the red sandstone in Pakistan was a main reason behind stacking it. The stone had been used in architecture and foundation of the mosque, they said.
The rainwater had also played its role in damaging the verandah. The mosque is owned by the Punjab Auqaf Department and is a protected monument under the Punjab Special Premises Preservation Ordinance 1985. The maintenance and repair of the mosque is the responsibility of the PAD.
PAD director general Shahbaz Khan told Daily Times previously the work could not be started, as the PAD had not been provided funds by the Auqaf. He said the total area of the floor was 0.2 million square foot. He said cracks had appeared on the verandah due to rainwater.
The Badshahi Masjid was built in 1673 by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir. The mosque represents the very best of the
Mughal architecture and beauty. The mosque is a symbol of Lahore’s culture and rich historical traditions. The mosque has been enlisted as a part of the World Heritage.
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