Restoring ancient artefacts, protecting Pakistan’s heritage and boosting the economy

Agence Française de Développement (AFD) is supporting fresh efforts to restore the Lahore Fort, a World Heritage Site and a major attraction, which will benefit tourism and the country’s economy as a whole. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) took action in 2007 by entering into a partnership with the Punjab Government and the World Bank. Subsequently, they partnered with the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) to commence work on its restoration. In 2022, AFD stepped in with a loan of €22 million to bolster efforts aimed not only at safeguarding the monument and its precious contents but also at commemorating a part of Lahore’s multicultural legacy and the country's collective memory. “The whole fort is a standing heritage,” says Kamran Lashari, the Director General of Walled City Authority. "The basements of Lahore Fort, which have been closed for 200 years, are being restored through this AFD-funded project. And the best thing is that the restoration work is creating both employment and tourism opportunities.”