LAHORE: US Ambassador Anne W Patterson on Thursday announced a $31,834 grant under the ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation to the Punjab Archaeology Department for the conservation of the Lahore Fort’s Alamgiri Gate.

She announced the grant during her visit to the fort on Thursday. She stressed the need to “guard the treasures of the past”.

Punjab Archaeology Department director general Shahbaz Khan gave the ambassador a briefing on the Alamgiri Gate project. He told her how the project was progressing and the expertise of the department in the restoration of monuments.

“Since its construction in 1674, the Alamgiri Gate of the Lahore Fort has projected an image of power and grandeur,” Ambassador Patterson said. “The cultural significance of the Fort is unmistakable.” She said, “Through such cultural projects, we build a better understanding between our two countries (Pakistan and the US) which will enhance and increase our legacy to future generations.”

Ambassador Patterson appreciated the role of the PAD in protecting Punjab’s cultural legacy. She said the US assistance showed that the Americans shared the Pakistanis’ wish to preserve the country’s cultural heritage.

Khan told Daily Times that the US fund was only for the restoration of the Alamgiri Gate while the Punjab government was funding the other projects at the fort, which include the conservation of the grills. The US fund will help restore the façade of the Alamgiri Gate, using the latest architectural techniques and materials similar to the original ones, he said.

The Punjab government has funded a five-year (2006-2010) master plan, which will include the repair of each building in the fort. It also allocated Rs 300 million for the fort’s conservation project. The buildings that need repairs are: Shah Jahan’s quadrangle, Diwan-e-Khass, Diwan-e-Aam and Jahangir’s Turret which has collapsed and is being looked after by PAD archaeologists.

Work for the re-hanging of the Shish Mahal’s ceiling has been completed as planned in the master plan and is now being examined by experts to ensure that there is no further damage. hina farooq