Islamabad, 27 May 2026. The government has made a major decision on an issue related to religious and historical identity in Pakistan. The government has rejected the demand to rename nine major Islamic sites in the country. This decision has sparked a new debate in political and social circles. The government says it is important to preserve the historical and religious identity of these places and that renaming them could affect cultural heritage.
The Maryam Nawaz government in Pakistan’s Punjab province has postponed the decision to restore the old names of roads, squares, and areas in Lahore. The names the government wanted to restore included many from the Hindu and Sikh eras.
The government took this step after growing opposition from extremist groups and on social media. Some people had given it a religious color, calling it an attempt to bring back Hindu and Sikh identity.
The Deputy Commissioner of Lahore, Captain (Retired) Muhammad Ali Ejaz, said that no final decision has been made yet.
The proposal was approved in a meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz
A meeting of the Lahore Heritage Areas Revival (LHAR) was held on March 16. It was chaired by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also attended. In this same meeting, a proposal was passed to restore many of Lahore’s old pre-partition names.
This plan was created to bring back Lahore’s historical and cultural identity. Later, in May, the Maryam Nawaz cabinet also approved this project.
Nawaz Sharif said that we should learn from Europe. They do not tamper with historical names. Maryam said that Lahore’s history is its identity. The old names and buildings are proof of this.
This entire project was being run under the Lahore Authority for Heritage Revival (LAHR). According to reports, it is a project worth several billion Pakistani rupees.
Political analysts believe that religious and cultural issues have always been sensitive in Pakistan. In such matters, the government often tries to adopt a balanced stance to avoid any kind of social tension.
The debate on this decision has also intensified on social media. Some people describe it as protecting religious heritage, while others say there should be open discussion on historical matters.
For now, the government has made it clear that no changes will be made to the names of the relevant Islamic sites and their current identity will remain intact.
Islamic sites in Pakistan
Pakistan is home to numerous historic Islamic sites, reflecting its rich cultural and religious heritage. Key examples include the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, built in 1673 by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, and the ancient city of Taxila, which features Islamic-era monuments alongside earlier Buddhist ruins. These sites highlight the region’s deep Islamic history, from early Arab conquests to the Mughal Empire’s architectural achievements.
Lahore
Lahore, the cultural capital of Pakistan, is a historic city dating back over a millennium, with its prominence rising under the Mughal Empire in the 16th and 17th centuries. It served as a major center of art, architecture, and learning, exemplified by landmarks like the Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort. Today, it remains a vibrant hub of culture, food, and political activity, blending its rich past with modern urban life.
Hindu and Sikh era sites in Lahore
Lahore, a city in present-day Pakistan, is home to several significant Hindu and Sikh era sites that reflect its rich pre-Partition history. Notable among these are the Shalimar Gardens and Lahore Fort, both UNESCO World Heritage sites built during the Mughal era, which later held importance for Sikh rulers like Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Additionally, sites such as the Samadhi of Ranjit Singh and the Katas Raj Temples showcase the architectural and religious heritage of the Sikh and Hindu communities, marking a period of cultural synthesis before the partition
Badshahi Mosque
The Badshahi Mosque, located in Lahore, Pakistan, is one of the largest and most iconic mosques from the Mughal era. Built in 1673 by Emperor Aurangzeb, it showcases classic Mughal architecture with its red sandstone and marble domes, minarets, and intricate ornamentation. As a major cultural and religious landmark, it has withstood centuries of history, including periods of use as a stable under Sikh rule and later restoration to its original grandeur.
Lahore Fort
Lahore Fort, located in the historic city of Lahore, Pakistan, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to the 11th century, though its current structure was largely rebuilt and expanded under the Mughal Empire, particularly during the reign of Emperor Akbar in the late 1500s. The fort showcases a blend of Mughal, Sikh, and British architectural influences, with iconic structures like the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) and the Alamgiri Gate. It has served as a royal residence, military stronghold, and cultural symbol, reflecting the region’s rich and turbulent history.
Shalimar Gardens
The Shalimar Gardens are a Mughal garden complex located in Lahore, Pakistan, built in 1641-1642 by Emperor Shah Jahan. Designed as a Persian-style paradise garden, it features three descending terraces with marble pavilions, cascading fountains, and over 400 water channels. The site was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, symbolizing the zenith of Mughal landscape architecture.
Samadhi of Ranjit Singh
The Samadhi of Ranjit Singh is a 19th-century mausoleum in Lahore, Pakistan, built to honor Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the powerful Sikh Empire ruler. Construction began at his death in 1839 and was completed by his son, Kharak Singh, blending Sikh, Hindu, and Islamic architectural styles. The site remains a significant symbol of Sikh heritage and is located near the iconic Badshahi Mosque.
Katas Raj Temples
The Katas Raj Temples, located in the Punjab province of Pakistan, are a historic complex of Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, dating back to around the 6th to 10th centuries CE. According to Hindu mythology, the site is believed to be where the Pandava brothers from the epic Mahabharata sought penance, and its sacred pond is said to have been formed from Shiva’s tears. The temples showcase a blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles, reflecting the region’s layered history, though they have faced neglect and damage over the centuries.
Taxila
Taxila, located in present-day Pakistan, was a major ancient city and a prominent center of learning in the Gandhara civilization from around the 6th century BCE to the 5th century CE. It flourished under various empires, including the Achaemenid, Greek, Mauryan, and Kushan, and became renowned for its Buddhist monasteries, universities, and fusion of Greek and Indian artistic styles. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with ruins that reflect its rich history as a crossroads of cultures and knowledge.
