Lahore Conservation Society has expressed a grave concern over the risk of a high rise building to replace the historic Faletti's hotel, observing that apart from adding to traffic congestion and pollution, this would also be a security risk to the adjacent Punjab Assembly.
In a statement issued here on Wednesday, the society's secretary Dr Aijaz Anwer reminded that Faletti's being on the list of 'protected premises' under the Punjab Special Premises Act 1986, is a cultural landmark of Lahore and should be conserved, not replaced by a plaza.
Several famous national personalities including the Quaid-e-Azam and Justice A R Cornelius had stayed at this historic hotel, Anwer said.
He appealed to the concerned authorities to ensure that the premises be retained in public interest.
Furthermore, Punjab Ombudsman has directed that trees within Faletti's premises, covering 68 kanals valuable land, be protected.
The Ombudsman observed that it was the responsibility of the Privatisation Commission to incorporate necessary conditions in the relevant sale deed of the premises for ensuring protection and preservation of the trees.
"Section 12 of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997 (PEPA) covers the need for protection of the trees in Faletti's Hotel, and as and when any project is to be executed in Faletti's Hotel, Lahore, NOC is required from Environment Protection Department in the light of aforesaid section," stated the Ombudsman order.
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