World Heritage Committee gives green signal to Orange Train

Lahore : Chairman of the steering committee for Lahore Orange Line Metro Train Kh Ahmad Hassan has informed that the World Heritage Committee in its 41^st session being held in Poland has scrapped the proposal for putting Shalimar Garden, Lahore, on the list of ‘World Heritage in Danger’ as a result of effective presentation technical data and relevant reports by Pakistan at this august forum.

In a statement here on Sunday, he said that acknowledging Pakistan’s stance on state of conservation of historical sites, the World Heritage Committee has neither objected on the present alignment of the train’s track outside Shalimar Garden, Lahore, nor it has asked for altering the track at this point. This reflects the confidence of the world body in our correct decision making by the government which will go a long way in completing the project at the earliest.

He informed that after thoroughly examining the technical data, heritage impact assessment report, vibration report and other relevant research studies about Lahore Orange Line Metro Train Project, the world body has discarded the proposed draft decision forwarded by the critics of the project. It has altogether deleted nine out of the 13 points of the draft decisions while two points have been modified in favour of Pakistan.

Pakistan has effectively presented its case with substantial evidence. Therefore, none of the 21 members of the committee have opposed Pakistan’s stance. International archaeological experts have overwhelmingly opined that Orange Line Project will not harm the historical buildings.

Kh. Ahmad Hassan said that this was an expression of confidence of international community over the policies of Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif.