The Aga Khan Trust for Culture-Pakistan and the U.S. Mission Pakistan celebrated the signing of a cooperative agreement supporting the conservation of the Chowk Wazir Khan, a centerpiece of Lahore’s historic Walled City. A grant under the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation will provide USD 1.1 million to reclaim the chowk’s historic urban square to create a shared, community space. The project includes restoring the eastern façade and hujras of the Wazir Khan Mosque, conserving a historic house, and preserving Dina Nath’s Well within the chowk. This project is being carried out in coordination with the Government of Punjab and will complement its urban rehabilitation and infrastructure upgrade project.
Praising the work of the Aga Khan Trust, U.S. Consul General Zachary Harkenrider said, “We are honored to contribute to the conservation of the 17th century Chowk Wazir Khan, an important place in the hearts of all Lahoris. Aga Khan Trust has done excellent work in the Walled City and we are pleased to support their efforts.”
This will be the second award under the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation in support of the conservation of the Wazir Khan complex. In 2002, the U.S. Embassy funded the restoration of the brick and plasterwork of the mosque’s bazaar arcades.
The U.S. Embassy, through the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, has supported the cultural preservation of 18 sites throughout the country, including the recent start of restoration at Sultan Ibrahim Bin Mirza and Sultan Muhammad Isa Tarkhan tomb, in Makli Hills in Sindh Province, and the Alamgiri Gate of Lahore Fort.
Learn more about this project at:http://www.facebook.com/lahore.usconsulate or https://www.facebook.com/pakistan.usembassy
