LAHORE: The Punjab government has substantially expanded the scope of its heritage conservation regime by promulgating the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act, 2026, transforming the existing Walled City of Lahore Authority into a province-wide institution mandated to protect, regulate and develop walled cities, heritage areas and heritage properties across the province.
The legislation, a copy of which is available with Daily Jang, published in an Extraordinary issue of the Punjab Gazette after receiving the assent of the Governor on June 23, was passed by the Provincial Assembly on June 10 and came into force with immediate effect.
According to the Act, the amendments are intended to extend the law’s scope beyond Lahore by establishing a comprehensive and integrated legal framework and specialised institutional arrangement for the conservation of walled cities, heritage areas and heritage properties. The legislation also aims to improve the quality of life of residents, regulate infrastructure and services, facilitate planning and development, and govern commercial and business activities within protected heritage zones.
Under the amendments, the Walled City of Lahore Act, 2012 has been renamed the Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Areas Authority Act, 2012, while its jurisdiction has been extended to all walled cities listed in the Schedule, as well as heritage areas and heritage properties notified under the law. The legislation also changes the name of the Walled City of Lahore Authority to the Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Areas Authority, reflecting its expanded provincial mandate.
