International Desk: Plans to restore the original Hindu-Sikh names of several streets and lanes in Lahore have been abruptly suspended after strong opposition from hardline religious groups, exposing once again the government’s inability to withstand extremist pressure.
The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, had earlier approved an initiative to reinstate the pre-partition names of historic streets and neighbourhoods in Lahore as part of an effort to revive the city’s cultural and historical heritage. The proposal was formally discussed in a high-level meeting attended by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and an official statement confirming the decision was issued by the Chief Minister’s Office on 20 March.
However, following escalating objections and protests from religious hardline organisations, the administration has now placed the plan on hold. The reversal highlights how easily policy decisions, even those tied to heritage preservation, are derailed under pressure from radical factions, raising fresh questions about governance and political resolve in Pakistan.
