Lahore faces a housing backlog of 153,997, according to an Integrated Master Plan for Lahore-2021. The shortage of houses has compelled the poor living in the city and its outskirts to shift to slums, katchi abadis or other informal settlements.

Lahore is the second largest city of Pakistan. According to the last inter-census population growth rate, 30,000 housing units are required annually to cater to the increase in population in Lahore whereas housing market supplies no more than 2500 plots annually.

According to the 1998 population census, the population of Lahore district was 6,318,745 of which 81.17% were urban. Between 1981 and 1998 the population of Lahore increased by 3.46% per annum while the housing stock increased by 2.79% only.

In 2007 it was revealed that Pakistan is the most urbanised country of South Asia with more than 50 percent of its population living in cities. The appalling fact is that of the 50 percent of the urban population about half lives in slums which means they are living without basic civic amenities.

It is because there is no one to regulate the land prices. Land speculation actually causes distortion in the figures where the land is bought by the rich which creates artificial increase in the land prices and cause serious unequal division of facilities.

Director Estate Management 1 of Lahore Development Authority (LDA), Ahmed Aziz Tarar, talks about the origin of land speculation. "Speculation started back in 1990s when Pakistan did not have any productive business and people in order to maximize their profits hoarded land and sold them at high prices later. Another reason for speculation is that it is an undocumented economy and there is no regulator to watch the unethical increase in the prices of land which actually profit the people who own the land."

He suggested specification of building period of houses. If that is enforced it will surely check land speculation. He said government’s plan to develop low-income housing society is in progress.

A property dealer of Chohan Estate Centre, Mansoor Butt is of the opinion that government is responsible for providing shelter to the people because everyone thinks of maximizing his profit. If speculation is dealt with then government can start its projects for the lower income groups.

According to Integrated Master Plan for Lahore-2021 LDA has 21 housing schemes on 1,158 hectares land (27,707 kanal) while total private schemes are 132 on 2, 330 hectares land (55,744 kanal) out of which 130 housing schemes have not been approved by LDA.

Other schemes include those of LIT, LIT/LDA, Housing & Physical Planning Dept which make a total of 40 schemes and the total land is 1,243 hectares (29,737 kanal).

President of Punjab Urban Resource Center (PURC), Raza Ali, says, "In order to save the lower income groups of the country it is important that the government takes the initiative, providing subsidy is not an answer. It is important that the public sector acquires land and develops it and in order to do this it is important that the government makes use of the latest technology".

Furthermore, he said that it is not an impossible task to do but the progress depends on whether the public sector wants to do it or not. Awais Azhar, a student of architecture at National College of Arts, Lahore conducted a research according to which 90 to 95 per cent of the houses allotted by the government are through balloting which gives rise to the land speculation as the houses are bought by those who actually do not need them and in the LDA schemes only 16% to 20% of the plots have house construction on them. In private schemes this figure is only 10.2%. There are loopholes in both public schemes and the private schemes. Some of the major problems which are not being addressed are the allotment of houses, high prices, poor health and sanitation facilities, slow development, poor health and transport facilities and the shortage of Sui gas, electricity and other likely facilities.

Awais Azhar suggests that in order to discourage land speculation it is the duty of the government to restructure the allotment procedure so that only those in need get a house and unequal division of facilities is checked.

"The existing informal settlements should be given proper attention. If these settlements remain ignored, they may lead to untold illnesses, diseases and disaster. The private sector, NGOs and CBOs must be involved at all steps of development. Moreover, in order to accommodate the population, apartments should be made popular among the people as we get to see only a little fraction of Lahore being accommodated in apartments."

More development schemes like ‘Khuda ki Basti’ should be followed which brings the idea of housing for low income families and provides them with small houses with all the basic civic amenities. Although it lacks some basic facilities like Sui gas, high schools and transportation it is only a first step towards the development of the poor. Shelter is a basic necessity and should be provided to all without any discrimination. Understanding the circumstances leading to the high increase in urbanisation, is the need of the hour. Housing schemes should be planned promptly in order to escape the current problems before it turns out to be a complete catastrophe.

society organisation ‘Hum Log’ at Alhamra, The Mall till Sep 15. The exhibition showcases a wide range of photographs depicting images of the plight of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the refugee camps of Jalozai and Sheikh Yaseen.

Paintings Exhibition by various artists at Revivers

Galleria till Sep 15.

Exhibition: Fahd Burki’s new works on display at Grey Noise, 26A, KB Colony, Allama Iqbal Airport Road till Sep 20. Email:info@greynoise.org

Shedding Load: An exhibition that brings together artists from

different backgrounds under one roof at Gallery 39K / Lahore.

The exhibition is on till Sep 20.

Exhibition of calligraphic paintings till Mon, Sep 21.

Ghazal Night at Peerus Cafe every Friday at 9pm.

Jazz Night at Peerus Cafe every Saturday

at 9pm featuring live performance by Jazz Moods.

renovation

The Punjab government spent a hefty sum of 300 million rupees on the conservation of the historic Shalamar Gardens. Because the site is on the World Heritage list of Unesco, Unesco and the Getty Foundation supported the project. Unesco handed over the project to the Punjab government on August 18, 2009 in a ceremony at the Bagh.

Seemingly, a lot of attention has been rendered to the perimeter wall. This work is fine, showing no signs of neglect and corruption. The bricks used are the same that were used in the original construction, and for the most part, a deliberate effort has been made to retain the original colour of the wall.

Still there is so much lacking. There are portions of the wall where bricks are missing, thus exposing the mortar — particularly on the third terrace, where only a few visitors go. On this level, just before the eastern gate, a water pipe passes through the wall to bring in water from outside. To facilitate this, some bricks have been removed that present a rather ghastly look. Eventually, this damage will have to be repaired.

Nearby, a wrecked car, which I was told transported the material inside for revamping, is parked. Also, grass on the third terrace is unkempt for the most part.

Encroachments surrounding the Bagh are a big menace. When Unesco preserved some portions of the perimeter wall, and the eastern gate, it asked the authorities to remove all population within 200 feet of the Bagh. It even paid for re-settling the people. However, there is no progress at this end. It was reported in Jang recently that because of the perpetual sprawling of the people around the garden, the level of the ground has risen considerably from the garden, resultantly water from outside flows into the the Bagh, voiding all renovation efforts. Throughout the circumference, because of this water flow, we notice that the wall no longer is straight but curved. This is because of the constant erosion of the newly completed project. These are issues which need to be attended, if the renovation of the Bagh is to be preserved.

To begin, the water pipe must be removed. Similarly, there is a water tank near the Khawab Gah of the princess on the first terrace, which is being conserved, just throwing its water on the ground. One could at least put valve there.

The Nigar Khana on the eastern side, on the first terrace, leading into the Ranjit Singh’s building is one of the edifices uplifted by the Department. No work has been done to the exterior, as most of it was in place from previous efforts but the interior is freshly touched up with lime. Frescoes have been added on the boundary of the wall, just like they originally were.

The Nigar Khana can be divided into three parts: the courtyard, the room, which leads to the third courtyard. Now, the floor of the first courtyard has been re-laid. But the floors of the other portions have been left untouched. A representative of the Department explained that the two rooms have been left, as they are, to show the difference between the old and new. But, why such a large portion? I fail to understand.

Some appreciation is due to the way the floor of the first courtyard has been renovated: the design patterns are the same as the original and blends in well with the surrounding.

Right in front of the Nigar Khana is a building from the Ranjit Singh era, which is not part of the Garden. The government took it under its control in 1982, when the rest of the Garden was handed over during the Ayub times. Perhaps, this is why the building is in such a sorry condition. The pollution has blackened the walls and people have scribbled graffiti all over it. It has been partly preserved.

Another disturbing site is that of the two gateways. They are supposed to be closed to public yet people manage their way in to the Garden through these entrances, climbing over piled rubble. I wonder why a guard is not placed here to check the flow of people.

The summer pavilion, which is facing the water tank, is another site being preserved. Fine lime is being applied here too. The only portion of the pavilion which is not so far given due attention is the ceiling. It is built in deodar with elaborate frescoes and glass. After about 450 years, the wood has lost its splendor and has darkened. It is literally falling apart. However, some effort seems to be made to fix the falling pieces.

On the eastern side of the summer pavilion is the Shahi Hamaam, conserved by Unesco. This building was embellished with ornate frescoes most of which have now faded away. Conservation of frescos was not part of the plan.

In between the summer pavilion and the Shahi Hamaam is the Croft Building. This building is in the worst condition. Parts of the building have been ruined. The doors and windows are also withering away. The Department is currently using the edifice as its storage room, which is further damaging the structure. This building will be renovated under the next plan.

The water tank on the second terrace is arguably in the best condition. This is the most prominent feature of the Bagh. With most of the construction intact, this portion gives the Garden a pleasant look. Yet, it’s vandalised; the water is dirty and used by the visitors as a big swimming pool.

The conservation of the eastern gate is complete, except that some of the mosaic tiles are missing. That is the only missing aspect of this gate. Across it, on the western side of the Garden, there is a similar gate, which is being preserved at the moment. These mosaic tiles are highly ornate with floral motifs.

Turning to the northern side of the garden: This is also in a bad state — ceiling, water fountain, and bricks on the backdrop have all been removed. Hardly anyone ever travels to this portion of the Bagh, therefore, there seems no urgency to repair this part.

The biggest problem facing the Bagh authorities is perhaps attending to the minor details. Rubbish is spread all over the place. Instead of being disposed of properly, they are just lying in the middle of the ground. Similarly, because of lack of proper sanitation, water has gathered around many places, slowly eating away the portion. These are all concerns, which require minimal effort, and funds, but when attended to, make a big difference.

Harunkhalid@hotmail.com

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The pool: work well done.

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Portions of the wall where bricks are missing, particularly on the third terrace.

As my friend and colleague W and I slowly depart from my house on main Ferozepur road, things are awfully quiet, at 4:30 am. There is a pleasant breeze running through the air, which helps me wake up. There is nothing much like the smell of a sleeping city, full of yesterday’s disappointments and shattered dreams, aspirations and promises no one really intends to keep, all washed away with the coming of a living sun.

As we crisscross Wahdat road and Ichhra towards our way to Mozang, the city rises from the dead and the street becomes alive. The roads play hide and seek, and become patches of light and shadow, small joints full of people and parked cars appear, the smells of omelette and fresh parathas fill the air, our eye catches the steam of fresh tea brewing and our ears hear snippets of conversation and laughter, and as we slowly pass by, everything seems to be a waking dream.

Our destination, Mohammadi Nihari House, from the outside is decorated with small white bulbs commonly seen on wedding houses. Inside, we are greeted by the delicious smell of Nihari and a smart young man, wearing a black shirt and gray pants who takes our order. The place is jam packed with people — of different shapes and sizes — energy, and noise.

The interior is a strange mixture of bathroom tile walls, marble floor and tacky red tables and chairs, on our left, a huge board warns us of not eating fish inside the premises.

As the fans whir, and we wait patiently for our Sehri to arrive, — a plate of Nihari fry for me, a plate of Brain masala for Waqar — the strong white bulbs hurt our eyes. What’s most interesting is the sound of people talking. Because there are so many, there is no way to distinguish what anyone is saying, the effect is at once noisy and hypnotic, as if one word is tumbling over another.

Certain kinds of foods have different effects on different people. Because Mozang is where I have spent most of my childhood, (It is where my maternal grandparents live). Nihari is comfort food for me, and when it arrives with large khamiri rotis and embellishments that include green chillies and lemons my heart swells and I feel at once happy and a little nostalgic, as it reminds me of the streets I used to play in and my grandmother’s hands.

The Nihari as always is fulfilling, its meat, tender because of hours of cooking, melts easily in the mouth, its gravy is thick and wonderful. My friend W, however, is not very happy, the brain he ordered (thinking it was of a goat) is that of a cow, and because of this, he eats a little and leaves the rest.

We finish and make our way outside, towards Mozang chowk to have tea. The tea stalls here, also full of life, are the heart of the city, open all night all year round, they feed the children of the night, what is small dozes of hot, sweet tea. The voices here are more distinguishable, laughter, politics and tales of everyday life fill the air. As the young chota brings my tea and W’s bowl of yoghurt, a dark-skinned mirasi carrying a small dholki comes to our table and asks for money. As I salute him and ask him to go away he says, "Please don’t salute me, I get more salutes than the prime minister and president combined." His comment leaves us laughing and we ask him to join us. As he sings for us a mixture of qasidas, qawwalis and a little bit of Madam Nur Jehan, the sun arrives and breaks his spell. The mosque speakers that somehow always sounds full of cobwebs and dust, erupt and like magic the street becomes empty and city goes back to sleep.

Bilgiri: Known to cure pain in joints. Though the tree bears fruits in March-April, it can still be found with roadside vendors in the old city.