Major phase of Lahore Fort’s Khilwat Khana conservation ends

An inauguration ceremony held at the Lahore Fort on Friday marked the completion of a major phase in the conservation of the Khilwat Khana subterranean chambers. The event was attended by Nicolas Galey, Ambassador of France to Pakistan, senior leadership and project architects of Aga Khan Cultural Service – Pakistan (AKCS-P), among others. The restoration of the Khilwat Khana chambers reveals undocumented Mughal-era structures beneath the Lahore Fort. Located beneath the Shah Burj forecourt and the Khilwat Khana Quadrangle, the basements consist of more than 33 interlinked rooms, passages and staircases spread across four levels. Ambassador Galey commended the efforts of AKCS-P and the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) in uncovering and restoring a remarkable historical site. He remarked, “Each time I visit the Fort, there is a new place to discover—testament to the skill and dedication of the teams working here. In France, I have observed that the restoration of historic monuments is an ongoing process requiring refinement and patience. In countries like Pakistan, with such a rich history, rediscoveries of the past are always remarkable. These conservation projects are not only the work of conservators and architects; they are monuments of the city and its people—they belong to them.”