Punjab Government Halts Plan to Restore Historical Street Names in Lahore

The Punjab government has temporarily halted its plan to restore historical street names in Lahore after facing backlash from extremist groups. Initially approved by Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz, the initiative aimed to revive the city's pre-Partition heritage. However, due to criticism and concerns over religious implications, officials have stated that no final decision has been made. Discussions are ongoing regarding the cultural significance of restoring these names, with many scholars and historians advocating for the preservation of Lahore's rich historical identity. The outcome of this initiative remains uncertain as the government navigates public sentiment.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 26, 2026, 19:46 IST

Punjab Government's Decision on Lahore's Historical Names

The Punjab government of Pakistan has decided to pause its initiative aimed at reinstating the original historical names of various roads and streets in Lahore. This decision comes after the proposal faced significant opposition from certain extremist groups. The initiative, which was approved during a meeting led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, intended to revive the pre-Partition heritage of Lahore by restoring names associated with Hindu and Sikh communities. However, in light of the backlash, officials have clarified that no final decision has been made yet. The Chief Minister's office released a statement to this effect.

'No Decision Yet'

Nawaz Sharif, who is currently inactive in politics following the February 2024 elections, heads the Lahore Heritage Areas Revival (LAHR). The government has seemingly reversed its stance, stating that discussions regarding the restoration of Lahore's street names are ongoing. Lahore's Deputy Commissioner, Capt R Muhammad Ali Ijaz, emphasized to the media that "no such decision has been taken as yet." Despite previous approvals from Sharif and Maryam, Ijaz maintained that the matter remains under consideration.

According to sources, some extremist factions, including online commentators, have vocally criticized Maryam for her support of restoring the pre-Partition names. The backlash has prompted the administration to reconsider its position to avoid further controversy.

Discussions on Name Change Controversy

In response to the criticism, the LHAR convened a meeting with scholars, historians, architects, and urban planners to gather insights on the proposal to restore original names across Lahore. The forum discussed the cultural and historical importance of reviving traditional names as part of a broader effort to preserve Lahore's rich heritage. Participants shared their views on the historical significance of various names and the potential benefits of such a revival for heritage conservation and tourism.

The meeting concluded with a consensus that Lahore's historical identity is a valuable legacy that should be preserved for future generations. Most attendees expressed support for restoring the historical names of the city's roads and streets. Notable streets that have been renamed in the past include Queen's Road, Jail Road, and Lawrence Road, among others.

Historic streets and roads in Lahore that were renamed in the past by successive governments include Queen's Road, Jail Road, Davies Road, Lawrence Road, Empress Road, Krishan Nagar, Santnagar, Dharampura, Brandreth Road, Ram Gali, Tempbell Street, Laxmi Chowk, Jain Mandir Road, Kumharpura, Mohan Lal Bazaar, Sundar Das Road, Bhagwan Pura, Shanti Nagar, and Outfall Road.