inside the Fort to use drugs uninterrupted. Similarly, in the past, couples were found from inside the Fort after its closure. Kamran Lashari, DG WCLA, told The News that the Fort and Hazuri Bagh were facing security threats. He said besides security issues, there were social crimes, which may take place in the Fort if security is not beefed up. He said a detailed proposal regarding upgrading security is pending with the Punjab chief secretary.
Earlier, WCLA Media Manager Tanya Qureshi told the scribe the Authority wanted to make the Fort and Hazuri Bagh a secure and safe place for tourists. She said the Authority had also planned establishing new tourist shops, which included souvenir shops, flower shops, costume shops, photography shops etc, to facilitate tourists. She said Seesh Mehal, Summer Palace and Madam Bamba Museum, which presently are closed for visitors, will be opened soon. She said restoration and renovation of Lahore Fort will be done with the help of international donors, multinational companies and local philanthropists.
About increasing ticket prices, she said the WCLA had already decided not to increase the entry ticket price and it will remain Rs20 for local and Rs400 per international visitor. She said the WCLA would introduce new revenue opportunities and programmes, which would be unveiled in future. She said the WCLA would also focus on cleanliness and solid waste management in and around the Fort and Hazuri Bagh and private companies would be hired for the purpose. The Lahore Fort is included in the World Heritage List therefore the Authority had planned to maintain international standards of washrooms and cleanliness conditions. Kamran Lashari said the Authority might hire additional security guards on daily wages basis to fulfil the need and their salaries would be paid from the income generated through entry tickets. He said the Fort is a World Heritage Site and needs to be secured effectively and as per international standards and norms.