THE WALLED CITY OF LAHORE ACT 2012 (XXXVI of 2012) CONTENTS CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY 1. Short title, extent and commencement 2. Definitions CHAPTER II WALLED CITY OF LAHORE AUTHORITY 3. Establishment and constitution of the Authority 4. The Authority 5. Meetings and conduct of business by the Authority 6. Director General CHAPTER III POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE AUTHORITY 7. Functions of the Authority 8. Powers of the Authority 8-A. Lahore Heritage Area Revival Board 9. Heritage Conservation Board 10. Directorates 11. Power to act as local government 12. Appointment of employees 13. Officials and employees 14. Delegation CHAPTER IV CONSERVATION, PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, MANAGEMENT AND REGULATION OF WALLED CITY 15. Master conservation and re-development plan for Walled City 16. Preparation of schemes 17. Power to prepare and enforce building and zoning regulations 18. Power to give directions 19. Power to execute any scheme 20. Master conservat ion and re -development plan and schemes for public purpose 21. Schemes 22. Schemes to follow master conservation and re-development plan CHAPTER V HERITAGE PROPERTIES AND ZONES OF SPECIAL VALUE 23. Declaration of heritage properties 23-A. Declaration of heritage area and dangerous building 24. Zones of special value 25. Conservation of heritage properties and heritage area 26. Prohibition against alteration in heritage property 27. Grant or loan for conservation of a heritage property CHAPTER VI BUILDING AND LAND USE CONTROL 28. Sanction of buildings 29. Prohibition of demolition and destruction of buildings or structures 30. Removal of encroachments 31. Summary ejectment of unauthorized occupants 31-A. Summary ejectment of occupants of dangerous buildings 32. Removal of building, etc. erected or used in contravention of the Act CHAPTER VII TRADE AND OCCUPATIONS 33. Restriction on trade, calling or occupation CHAPTER VIII TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT ACQUISITIONS 34. Liability to acquisition 35. Temporary acquisition under agreement CHAPTER IX REGISTRATION OF OWNERS AND OCCUPANTS AND REGULATION OF TRANSFER OF PROPERTY 36. Registration of owners and occupants of buildings 37. Regulation of transfer of property CHAPTER X REPRESENTATION OF INHABITANTS AND BUSINESS COMMUNITY 38. Citizen Community Council 39. Trade and Business Council CHAPTER XI FINANCE, TAXATION, ACCOUNTS & AUDIT 40. Fund of the Authority 41. Power to borrow money 42. Audit 43. Recovery of dues 44. Levy of taxes, fees, charges, cesses and rates by Authority CHAPTER XII OFFENCES, PENALTIES AND COGNIZANCE 45. Offences and penalties 46. Cognizance CHAPTER XIII GENERAL 47. Appeal 48. Entry and survey 49. Power to make rules 50. Power to frame regulations 51. Act to have overriding effect 52. Jurisdiction of courts barred 52-A. Amendment in the Schedule 53. Removal of difficulties 54. Immunity 55. Enforcement measures 56. Administrative transition 57. Annual report SCHEDULE TEXT 1 [ 2 [THE PUNJAB WALLED CITIES AND HERITAGE AREAS AUTHORITY] ACT 2012 (XXXVI of 2012) [18th April, 2012] An Act to provide for the conservation, planning, development, management and regulation of 3 [Walled Cities, heritage areas and heritage properties in the Punjab]. Preamble.– 4 [It is necessary in the public interest to ensure a holistic, comprehensive and integrated legal framework and specialized institutional arr angement for the conservation of the walled cities, heritage areas and heritage properties; enhancing the quality of life of the people residing therein; providing for the planning, development, management and regulation of the infrastructure and services therein as well as conduct of business and commercial activity ; and for the matters ancillary thereto. It is hereby enacted by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as follows:] CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY 1. Short title, extent and commencement .– 5 [(1) This Act may be cited as the Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Areas Authority Act 2012.] 6 [(2) This Act shall extend to the w alled cities provided in the Schedule, heritage areas and heritage properties notified under the Act.] (3) It shall come into force at once. 2. Definitions.– In this Act– 7 [(i) “Act” means the Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Areas Authority Act 2012;] 1This Act was originally passed by the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab on 8 th March, 2012 and sent to the Governor of the Punjab for assent but it was returned for reconsideration . The Provincial Assembly after reconsideration again passed the Bill on 30th March 2012 and sent to the Governor for his assent on 6th April 2012. Since, the Governor has not assented to the Bill within the stipulated period of ten days, the same is deemed to have been assented to in terms of clause (3) of Article 116 of the Constitution; and published in the Punjab Gazette Extraordinary dated 18th April, 2012, pages 41067-41079. 2Substituted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.3 (a). 3Substituted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazett e (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.2 (a). 4Substituted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.2 (b). 5Substituted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.3 (a). 6Substituted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Ga zette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.3 (b). (ii) "alter" means to change in any manner and includes any action that detracts from the heritage value; 8 [(iii) "Authority" means the Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Areas Authority established under section 3 of the Act;] (iv) “Board” means the Heritage Conservation Board constituted under section 9 of the Act; (v) "building" includes any structure, house, dwelling, depot, godown, hall, wall, gate, monument, grave, tomb, minaret, shrine, shop, shelter, hut, porch, shed, dome, edifice, c olonnade, gallery, deck, den, fort, fountains, public baths, business place, place of worship, and includes urban open space, covered streets, passages and paths connected to any building or such other site as the Authority may notify; (vi) "building fabri c" means all the physical material of a building or a structure including components, fixtures, contents, manner and material of construction, surface finishes and adornments, and objects thereof; (vii) "Citizen Community Council" means the Citizen Community Council set up under section 38 of the Act; (viii) "conservation" means any activity undertaken to conserve the heritage or heritage value and includes identification, preservation, protection, regeneration, redevelopment, revitalization, rehabilitation , reconstruction maintenance, restoration, adaptation, 9 [adaptive reuse,] structural consolidation, for purposes of transmission of heritage value; 10 [(viii-a) "dangerous building " means a building, building fabric, group of buildings, heritage property, pr ivate building, public utility building, structure, or urban fabric in a ruinous condition or which is likely to fall or is in any way dangerous to its inhabitants or of any neighboring buildings or to any occupier thereof or to passers -by, and is declared dangerous under section 23-A of the Act;] (ix) "Directorate" means a Directorate established under section 10 by the Authority to perform one or more of its functions under the Act; (x) "Director General" means the Director General of the Authority; (xi) "encroachment" means any unauthorized structure on a public area, public crossings, public passage or urban open space, or unauthorized use of public area, public crossings, public passage or urban open space; 7Substituted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.4 (a). 8Substituted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.4 (b). 9Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.4 (c). 10Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.4 (d). (xii) "environment" means air, physical space, urban form, sensory qualities including vistas, views and sights; (xiii) "Government" means Government of the Punjab; (xiv) "Government Agency" includes– (a) a department, attached department, bureau, section, commission, board, office, or unit of the Government; (b) a local government as defined in the 11 [Punjab Local Government Act 2025 (LXXX of 2025 )] or in any other law relating to local governments for the time being in force; and (c) a developmental or any other public authority, company or corporation owned or controlled by the Government or a local government; (xv) "group of buildings" means group of separate or connected buildings which, because of their architecture, their 12 [history] and homogeneity, neighborhood or their place in the landscape, are of heritage value; (xvi) "heritage" means architectural, archeological, monumental, historic, artistic, aesthetic, cultural or social aspects, reflections, elements, features of a building, group of buildings, structure, building fabric, urban fabric, urban open space, public area, public crossings or public passage and environment of the 13 [Walled City , heritage area and heritage property,] and includes intangible heritage; 14 [(xvi-a) "heritage area" means such area as declared under section 23-A of the Act;] 15 [(xvii) "heritage property" means such property as declared under section 23 of the Act;] (xviii) "heritage value" includes architectural, archaeological, monumental, historic, artistic, aesthetic, cultural or social value, age value and commemorative value, use value, place value, of the heritage as identified and assessed for establishing authenticity; (xix) "inhabitant" means a person, other than an owner or an occupant, who is in active possession of a private building as a tenant, lessee, licensee, or permissive possessor of a building; (xx) "intangible heritage" includes the customary practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, lore, skills, traditions, festive events, 11Substituted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.4 (e). 12Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.4 (f). 13Substituted for the words "Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.4 (g) 14Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.4 (h). 15Substituted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 202 6), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.4 (i). traditional craftsmanship, performing arts as well as the instruments , objects, artifacts associated therewith and also includes the evolution thereof; (xxi) "land" includes earth, water and air, above, below or on the surface and any improvements in the structure customarily regarded as land and benefits arising out of land and things attached to earth or permanently fastened to earth; (xxii) "maintenance" means the continuous protective care of the fabric and setting of a building, group of buildings, urban open space, and includes the fencing, covering in renovating, repa ir, and cleansing thereof; (xxiii) "master conservation and re -development plan" means the comprehensive plan for conservation and re -development of the heritage, prepared by the Authority under section 15 of the Act; (xxiv) "occupant" means any person in occupation of a building in his own right and is not a tenant, lessee, licensee, without any obligation to pay rent, fee or charge to any person in any manner whatsoever; (xxv) "owner" includes any person who is receiving or is entitled to receive the rent of any building or land whether on his own account or on behalf of himself and others or an agent or trustee, or who would so receive the rent or be entitled to receive it if the building or land were let to a tenant; (xxvi) "person" includes an individua l, company, firm, cooperative society or association of individuals; (xxvii) “prescribed” means prescribed by the rules made or regulations framed under the Act; (xxviii) "private building" means a building which is in the ownership of a private person irrespective of its nature or use; (xxix) "public area" means any place, or urban open space to which public, subject to any restrictions deemed to be in the public interest, has a free and unfettered access; (xxx) "public crossing" means any place, square, courtyard or other urban open space, where two or more public passages intersect and used by the public as a thoroughfare; (xxxi) "public passage" includes a road, street, public crossing, cul-de-sac and path whether or not a thoroughfare, over which the public have a right of way; (xxxii) "public utility building" includes any building or urban open space constructed, built, or used for social, religious, political, congregational, entertainment or amusement purpose; (xxxiii) "regulations" means the regulations framed under the Act; (xxxiv) "rules" means the rules made under the Act; 16 [(xxxiv-a) "Schedule" means the Schedule appended to the Act;] (xxxv) "scheme" means any scheme prepared by the Authority for purposes of giving effect to any provisions of the Act; (xxxvi) "structure" means any type of construction or a covered space and includes ruins or remains of a building or group of buildings; (xxxvii) "Trade and Business Council" means the Trade and Business Council of the Authority; (xxxviii) “transfer of property” means transfer of property as defined in section 5 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 (IV of 1882); (xxxix) “urban fabric” includes monuments, ordinary buildings, 17 [building fecade,] streets, urban open spaces, urban patterns defined by l and parcels and streets, street pavement, elements of the utility infrastructure, street furniture, 18 [streetscape,] signage, and public facilities; (xl) “urban open space" includes gardens, parks, playgrounds, walled spaces, playfields, recreational areas and open spaces available to public; (xli) "Walled City" means the areas specified in the Schedule appended to the Act; and (xlii) “zone of special value” means any area of special architectural or historic interest or appearance which it is desirable to p reserve, enhance or develop, designated under section 24 of the Act. CHAPTER II 19 [THE AUTHORITY] 3. Establishment and constitution of the Authority .– (1) The Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, establish an Authority 20 [to be known as the Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Areas Authority]. (2) The Authority shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal, with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property, and it may sue or be sued in its name. 4. 21 [The Authority].– 22 [(1) The Authority shall consist of the following: 16Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.4 (j). 17Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.4k (i). 18Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.4k (ii). 19Substituted for the words "Walled City of Lahore Authority" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.2 (c). 20Substituted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.5. (a) Chief Minister. Chairperson (b) A person to be nominated by the Chairperson as Vice Chairperson. Vice Chairperson (c) Minister for Local Government and Community Development. Member (d) two members of Provincial Assembly of the Punjab to be nominated by the Chairperson, within whose constituencies the Walled City or heritage area, partly or wholly, situates. Members (e) Chief Secretary to the Government. Member (f) Chairman, Planning and Development Board. Member (g) Secretary to the Government, Finance Department. Member (h) Secretary to the Government, Local Government and Community Development Department. Member (i) Chairperson of the Heritage Conservation Board. (j) not more than two heads of the concerned local governments co -opted by the Chairperson for the purposes of conservation of heritage of respective Walled City or heritage area or heritage property. (k) four qualified persons to be nominated by the Chairperson. (l) Director General. Member Members Members Member/Secretary] (2) The person qualified to become a member of the Authority– (i) shall be at least thirty years of age; 23 [(ii) shall be a prominent and well -reputed professional having expertise in the field of heritage or history or culture or archaeology or architecture or conservation of heritage or town planning or tourism or community development;] (iii) should not have any criminal record; and (iv) may not have served as member of the Authority for two consecutive terms. (3) A member of the Authority, other than an ex-officio member, unless removed by the Authority, shall hold the office for a period of three years. (4) A member who has a financial or personal interest in any proceedings of the Authority shall not take part in the proceedings. 21Substituted for the wo rds "Members of the Authority " by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.6 (a). 22Substituted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XL V of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.6 (b). 23Substituted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.6 (c). (5) No act or proceedings of the Authority shall be invalid merely by reason of any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the Authority. 5. Meetings and conduct of business by the Authority .– (1) The Authority shall meet at least three times in a calendar year. (2) The Director General shall convene a meeting of the Authority with the prior approval of the Chair person or upon receiving written request of five or more members. (3) The request under sub -section (2) shall be accompanied by the proposed agenda for the meeting. (4) The meetings of the Authority shall be presided over by– (i) the Chairperson; or (ii) in the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson; or (iii) in the absence of the Chairperson as well as the Vice -Chairperson, by a member of the Authority elected for the purpose by the members present at a meeting. (5) The Authority shall transa ct its business in accordance with the prescribed manner. 6. Director General.– (1) The Chairperson may, on the recommendation of the Authority, appoint the Director General on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed. (2) The Director General shall be a person selected directly through public advertisement having, among other qualifications, fifteen years’ experience of management or academics in the fields of heritage, culture, or urban planning. (3) An officer of the Government of the rank and st atus of BS-20 or above and possessing the requisite expertise mentioned in sub -section (2) shall be eligible for appointment as the Director General. (4) The Director General shall be the Chief Executive of the Authority and shall– (i) be a whole time officer of the Authority; (ii) perform such duties and exercise such powers as are assigned to him under the Act or as may be prescribed or as may be delegated to him by the Authority; and (iii) hold office for a term of three years but shall remain in office for three months thereafter or until a successor in that office is appointed, whichever is earlier. (5) Nothing in the preceding sub-section shall preclude the Chairperson from extending the term of office of the Director General for such period as the Authority may determine. (6) The Director General, who is not a Government servant, may resign by tendering his resignation to the Chairperson and shall cease to hold office upon acceptance of his resignation. (7) The Chairperson, on the recommendation of the Authority, may remove or, as the case may be, transfer the Director General during the term of his office. CHAPTER III POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE AUTHORITY 7. Functions of the Authority.– (1) Subject to the provisions of the Act, rules or regulations, the Authority shall perform such functions and take such measures as may be necessary for carrying out the purposes of the Act. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub -section (1), the Authority shall– (i) implement and execute master heritage conservation and re-development plans; (ii) prepare and execute schemes; (iii) identify, assess and authenticate heritage value; 24 [(iv) conserve heritage area, heritage property and heritage of the Walled City;] (v) establish, maintain and periodically revise planning controls and building regulations for purposes of the Act; (vi) regulate the transfer of property; (vii) preserve and promote culture; (viii) develop and maintain an urban open space; (ix) conserve and upgrade the environment; (x) regulate the use of public places, urban open spaces, public crossings or public passages for purposes of public communication, ceremonies, or ritual events; (xi) prepare, implement and enforce schemes for environmental improvements, urban renewal, inc luding solid waste disposal, transportation and traffic, health and education facilities; (xii) maintain the record of heritage properties; (xiii) cause studies, surveys, technical researches to be made or contribute towards the cost of any such studies, surveys, technical researches; 25 [(xiii-a) constitute a governing body or a Committee for the purposes of the Act;] (xiv) issue interim development order for proceeding with the conservation and structural consolidation of a building under imminent threat of structural damage of any nature; and 24Substituted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.7 (a). 25Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.7 (b). (xv) perform other functions as are incidental to the above functions or as the Government may assign to the Authority for purposes of the Act. 8. Powers of the Authority.– (1) The Authority shall have all powers neces sary to perform its functions under the Act. (2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers, the Authority shall exercise the following powers:– (i) undertake any work, incur any expenditure for the implementation of the master conservation and re-development planned schemes; (ii) provision of civic utilities and municipal services; (iii) regulation of building construction and granting permits for demolition and reconstruction; (iv) regulation of trade, calling and occu pation in the 26 [walled c ities, heritage areas and heritage properties]; (v) removal of encroachments; (vi) promotion of tourism and sports; (vii) promotion of investment for development of 27 [walled c ities, heritage areas and heritage properties]; (viii) community mobilization and poverty alleviation; (ix) eviction of illegal occupants of private or public utility buildings 28 [, public areas, public passages or public crossings]; 29 [(ix-a) eviction of owner or occupant from a dangerous building;] (x) acquire property, both movable and immovable; (xi) procure machinery instruments or any other material required by it; (xii) enter into contracts; (xiii) coordinate with various Government agencies and other local and international organizations and institutes for smooth implementation of the Act; (xiv) establish separate Directorates of the Authority; (xv) enforce the provisions of the Act, rules and regulations; (xvi) seek or call for any information from any person or Government agency, as may be required for carrying out the purposes of the Act; 30 [(xvi-a) establish its offices in the areas where it deems appropriate;] 26Substituted for the words "Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.2 (e). 27Substituted for the words "Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.2 (e). 28Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.8 (a). 29Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.8 (b). (xvii) seek from any Government agency assistance in the discharge of its functions; and (xviii) exercise such other powers as the Government may, from time to time, assign to the Authority. 31 [8-A. Lahore Heritage Area Revival Board .– (1) The Government shall, by notification in the official Gazette, constitute the Lahore Heritage Area Revival Board, headed by a Chairman who shall also be the Patron-in-Chief of the Authority. (2) The Lahore Heritage Area Revival Board shall consist of such number of members as may be determined by its Chairman. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other law for the time being in force, the Lahore Heritage Area Revival Board: (a) may declared an area as heritage area or a project as heritage area revival project; (b) shall advise the Authority and Government Departments, as the case may be, on the projects within heritage area and on heritage area revival projects relating to conception, planning, approval, design, review, execution, development, management, operation, maintenance and monitoring of the projects and such advice of the Lahore Heritage Area Revival Board shall be binding; and (c) may constitute a monitoring cell, having such composition as the Lahore Heritage Area Revival Board may determine, for monitoring the execution, development, operation, maintenance and impact of the projects.] 9. Heritage Conservation Board .– (1) As soon as m ay be practicable, the Government may constitute the Heritage Conservation Board to advise the Government and the Authority on conservation of the heritage and other matters arising out of the administration of the Act and to perform such other functions a s are assigned to it under the Act, the rules or the regulations, or by the Authority. (2) The Government, on the recommendation of the Authority, shall nominate not more than seven members of the Heritage Conservation Board and the members shall elect on e of the members as the Chairperson and another as the Deputy Chairperson of the Heritage Conservation Board. (3) A member of the Heritage Conservation Board shall be a person having knowledge or experience in respect of one or more fields of history, cul ture, archaeology, architecture, the preservation or conservation of monuments, buildings or settlements, cities, town planning, tourism and community development. (4) The Heritage Conservation Board shall meet at least once in a calendar year. 30Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.8 (c). 31Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.9. 10. Directorates.– The Authority may constitute such Directorates as may be deemed necessary for carrying out the purposes of the Act and such Directorates shall exercise such powers and perform such functions as may be delegated or assigned to them by the Authority. 11. Power to act as local government.– The Government may, by a notification in the official Gazette, authorize the Authority to exercise and perform such powers and functions in respect of the Walled City as a local government under the 32 [Punjab Local Government Act 2025 (LXXX of 2025 )] or under any other law relating to local governments. 12. Appointment of employees .– (1) For the performance of its functions, the Authority may, with prior approval of the Government, employ such persons and on such terms and conditions as it may determine. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers, the Authority may appoint and remove its employees and exercise discipline and control over them. (3) The Authority shall make regulations for appointm ent, promotion, termination and other terms and conditions of employment of its employees. 13. Officials and employees.– The officials and employees of the Authority shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 (XLV of 1860). 14. Delegation.– The Authority may, by general or special order, delegate to the Director-General, a Directorate, a Government Agency, 33 [a governing body, a Committee], a member or an officer of the Authority, any of its powers, duties or functions under the Act or the rules or the regulations subject to such conditions as it may deem fit to impose. CHAPTER IV CONSERVATION, PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, MANAGEMENT AND REGULATION OF WALLED CITY 34 [HERITAGE AREA AND HERITAGE PROPERTY] 15. Master conservation and re -development plan for 35 [walled c ities, heritage areas and heritage properties ].– (1) The Authority shall, in consultation with the Heritage Conservation Board, in such form and in such manner as may be prescribed, prepare a master conservation and re-development plan for purposes of the Act and the Authority shall implement and execute the same, after the approval of the Government. 32Substituted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.10. 33Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.11. 34Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.2 (d). 35Substituted for the words "Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 20 26), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.2 (e). (2) The master conservation and re -development plan shall not be detrimental to– (i) the territorial integrity of the 36 [walled cities, heritage areas and heritage properties]; (ii) the heritage of the 37 [walled cities, heritage areas and heritage properties]; (iii) the character and special place qualities of distinct places and neighborhoods, as determined by the Heritage Conservation Board; (iv) neighborhood hierarchy; (v) quality of architectural assets; (vi) places of historic significance; (vii) historic open spaces; and (viii) intangible heritage. (3) Subject to sub -section (2), the master conserva tion and re - development plan shall include– (i) a land use and zoning plan; (ii) a plan for conservation of heritage of 38 [walled cities, heritage areas and heritage properties]; (iii) a plan for development, improvement and maintenance of municipal services; (iv) a plan for development, improvement and maintenance of public passages, urban open spaces, public areas; and (v) a plan for development of enterprise and economic activities. 16. Preparation of schemes.– (1) The Authority shall, in such form and in such manner as may be prescribed, prepare schemes for purposes of the Act and execute or have them executed in the prescribed manner. (2) No scheme shall be prepared and implemented or executed by any person or Government Agency within the 39 [walled cities, heritage areas and heritage properties] except with the concurrence of the Authority. 17. Power to prepare and enforce building and zoning regulations .– (1) The Authority shall prepare and enforce such building and zoning regulations as shall be necessary for regulating land use, zoning, building heights and densities, the construction and use of new buildings, the architectural character of buildings, the 36Substituted for the words "Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.2 (e). 37Substituted for the words "Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.2 (e). 38Substituted for the words "Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.2 (e). 39Substituted for the words "Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.2 (e). appearance and style of urban amenities, municipal signage, signage used on public and private properties, and for regulating building alteration and demolition. (2) The regulations, described in sub -section (1), shall supersede all other zoning and building regulations and other related regulations that may be currently in force in the 40 [walled cities, heritage areas and heritage properties]. 18. Power to give directions .– The Authority may require a Government Agency, within whose jurisdiction any particular aspect of a scheme lies– (i) to execute a scheme in collaboration or consultation with the Authority; (ii) to takeover and maintain any of the works and services in the 41 [walled cities, heritage areas and heritage properties]; (iii) to provide any amenity which in the opinion of the Authority ought to be provided; and (iv) to enforce regulations on behalf of the Authority. 19. Power to execute any scheme .– Where the Authority is satisfied that any direction given by it under section 18 with regard to any scheme, has not been carried out by the Government Agency, the Authority may itself undertake an y works for the execution of that scheme and the cost thereof shall be borne by the Government Agency and in the event of disagreement, as may be determined by the Government. 20. Master conservation and re -development plan and schemes for public purpose.– The master conservation and re -development plan and a scheme prepared under the Act shall be deemed to be for a public purpose. 21. Schemes.– A scheme mentioned in section 16 may include the following or a combination of the following:– (i) a general planning and development scheme; (ii) an area conservation scheme; (iii) a scheme for the conservation of a building or a group of buildings; (iv) a re-building or housing reconstruction scheme; (v) a tourism development scheme; (vi) an infrastructure development or improvement scheme; (vii) a scheme to promote cultural and sport activities and festivals; (viii) a scheme to promote the visual and temporal arts; (ix) a scheme to promote and revitalize crafts; (x) a scheme for the improvements of traffic and tran sportation, whether motorized, non-motorized or pedestrian transport scheme; 40Substituted for the words "Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.2 (e). 41Substituted for the words "Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.2 (e). (xi) a social sector development scheme including health or education; (xii) a resettlement scheme; and (xiii) any other scheme incidental to the purposes of the Act. 22. Schemes to follow master conservation and re -development plan.– The Authority shall prepare and approve a scheme or take a development control decision in accordance with the master conservation and re-development plan. CHAPTER V HERITAGE PROPERTIES AND ZONES OF SPECIAL VALUE 23. Declaration of heritage properties .– (1) The Authority may, in consultation with the Heritage Conservation Board, for purposes of conservation of heritage and by notification in the official Gazette, declare a building, structure, land, bu ilding fabric, urban open space or work in the 42 [walled cities and heritage areas] as heritage property in such manner as may be prescribed. (2) The Authority shall serve a notice in the prescribed form on every owner or occupant of a building, grou p of b uildings, structure, land 43 [, area] building fabric, urban open space or work under sub-section (1), as the case may be, stating that such building, structure, land, building fabric, urban open space or work has been declared as heritage property. (3) The Authority shall establish and maintain a register of heritage properties declared under sub-section (1) in such manner as may be prescribed. 44 [23-A. Declaration of heritage area and dangerous building .– (1) The Authority may, by notification in the official Gazette, declare any area as heritage area. (2) The authority may declare a building, building fabric, group of buildings, heritage property, private building, public utility building, structure , or urban fabric as a dangerous building in such manner as may be prescribed.] 24. Zones of special value .– (1) The Authority may, in consultation with the Heritage Conservation Board, designate any area of special architectural or historic interest or appearance which it is desirable to preserve, enhance or dev elop, as a zone of special value, in such manner as may be prescribed. (2) All buildings, lands, urban open spaces or public passages, falling within the territorial limits of a zone of special value designated under sub -section (1), shall be subject to such regulations as may be framed by the Authority. (3) The Authority shall, in consultation with the Heritage Conservation Board, prepare schemes for each zone of special value and such schemes shall contain such planned programmes. 42Substituted for the words "Walled City of heritage value" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.12 (a). 43Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.12 (b). 44Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.13. (4) The scheme under sub-section (3) shall be included in the master conservation and re-development plan. 25. Conservation of 45 [heritage properties and heritage area] .– (1) For purposes of conservation of a h eritage property 46 [and heritage area] , the Authority may, by an orde r in writing, direct the own er or occupant of such property 47 [and heritage area], to take such measures for conservation of the heritage property 48 [and heritage area], and within such time and on such terms and conditions as may be specified in the order. (2) If the owner or the occupier fails to take the measures specified in the order under sub-section (1), the Authority may take such measures for conservation as it may deem necessary at its own cost and shall be entitled to recover the same from the owner or occupant as arrears of land revenue. (3) The owner or occupant of a heritage property 49 [and heritage area] shall provide necessary access, assistance and support and cooperate with the Authority and its employees in carrying out purposes of the Act. (4) If in the opinion of the Authority, the requisite conservation cannot be carried out while the owner or occupant is in active use of heritage property 50 [and heritage area], the Authority may temporarily acquire under agreement such heritage property 51 [and heritage area] for a specified period with due compensation to the owner or occupant of a heritage property 52 [and heritage area] in such manner as may be prescribed. 26. Prohibition against alteration in heritage property .– No person shall execute or cause to be executed any work for alteration in a heritage property in any manner whatsoever without prior approval of the Authority in such manner as may be prescribed. 27. Grant or loan for conservation of a heritage property .– The Authority may provide grant or loan for conservation of a heritage property on the terms and conditions as may be prescribed. CHAPTER VI 45Substituted for the words "heritage property" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.14 (a). 46Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.14 (b). 47Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.14 (b). 48Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.14 (b). 49Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.14 (b). 50Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.14 (b). 51Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.14 (b). 52Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.14 (b). BUILDING AND LAND USE CONTROL 28. Sanction of buildings .– (1) No person shall erect or re -erect a building or commence to erect or re -erect a building except with the previous sanction of the Authority in the prescribed manner. (2) For purposes of the Act, a person shall be deemed to erect or re -erect a building who– (i) makes any alteration or enlargement of any building; (ii) converts into a place for human habitation any building not originally constructed for that purpose; (iii) converts a building or structure or land prescribed for one particular use or into another use; and (iv) makes any alteration which there is reason to believe is l ikely to affect prejudicially the stability or safety of any building. (3) The Authority may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, either refuse to sanction the erection or re -erection, as the case may be, of the building, or may sanction the same on such terms and condition as it may specify. 29. Prohibition of demolition and destruction of buildings or structures .– 53 [No building, building fabric, group of buildings, heritage property, private building, public utility building, structure, urban fabric l ocated in the Walled City and heritage area], shall be demolished, damaged, destroyed or removed by any person in any manner whatsoever, except with the previous sanction of the Authority in the prescribed manner. 30. Removal of encroachments.– 54 [(1) No person shall make encroachment on a building, building fabric, group of buildings, heritage property, private building, public utility building, structure, or urban fabric or any part thereof vested in the Authority or in any Government Agency for purposes of the Act.] (2) The Authority may, after such notice as may be considered reasonable, remove such encroachment with such force as may be necessary. 31. Summary ejectment of unauthorized occupants .– (1) The Authority may, for purposes of the Act, summarily eject any person in unauthorized occupation of any private building, public utility building, public place or any property vested in the Authority, and may for the purpose use such force as may be necessary. (2) No action under this section shall be take n without providing an opportunity of being heard to the person to be affected thereby. 55 [31-A. Summary ejectment of occupants of dangerous buildings .– (1) The Director General or an officer authorized by him may, for purposes of the Act, 53Substituted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 20 26), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.15. 54Substituted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.16. 55Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.17. summarily eject any person in occupation of any dangerous building in the manners as may be prescribed. (2) No action under sub -section (1) shall be taken without providing an opportunity of being heard to the person to be affected thereby. (3) The person ejected under sub-section (1) shall have right to repossess the vacated property when such property is declared no more dangerous.] 32. Removal of building, etc. erected or used in contravention of the Act .– (1) If any building or structure is erected, constructed or used in contravention of the provisions of the Act, the rules or the regulations, the Authority may, by order in writing, require the owner, occupant, user or person in control of such building or structure to remove, demolish or alter the building, struct ure or to use it in such manner so as to bring such erection, construction or use in accordance with the provisions of the Act. (2) If an order under sub -section (1) in respect of any building or structure is not complied with within such time as may be s pecified therein, the Authority may, after giving the person affected by the order an opportunity of being heard, remove, demolish or alter the building or structure, or stop the use of the same and, in so doing, may use such force as may be necessary and may also recover the cost therefor, from the person responsible for the erection, construction or use of the building or structure. CHAPTER VII TRADE AND OCCUPATIONS 33. Restriction on trade, calling or occupation .– Subject to sub -section (2) of section 36, no person shall carry on any trade, calling or occupation in the 56 [walled cities, heritage areas and heritage properties ] unless he has applied for and obtained a license from the Authority in such manner as may be prescribed. CHAPTER VIII TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT ACQUISITIONS 34. Liability to acquisition.– Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (Act I of 1894), all land within the 57 [Walled City and heritage area] shall be liable to acquisition by the Authority at any time in the prescribed manner. 35. Temporary acquisition under agreement .– The Authority may acquire any building or land on temporary basis under agreement for purposes of the Act in such manner as may be prescribed. CHAPTER IX REGISTRATION OF OWNERS AND OCCUPANTS 56Substituted for the words "Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendmen t) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.2 (e). 57Substituted for the words "Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.18. AND REGULATION OF TRANSFER OF PROPERTY 36. Registration of owners and occupants of buildings .– (1) The Authority shall maintain a record of owners and occupants of the buildings or immovable property located in the 58 [Walled City and heritage area] in the prescribed manner. (2) The Authority shall notify at the time of the commencement of the Act, a date by which all owners and occupants of buildings or immovable property shall get themselves registered with the Authority. 37. Regulation of transfer of property.– The Authority shall regulate the transfer of property in the 59 [Walled City and heritage area] in the prescribed manner. CHAPTER X REPRESENTATION OF INHABITANTS AND BUSINESS COMMUNITY 38. Citizen Community Council.– (1) For purposes of achieving the objective of the Act and for its effective implementation, the Authority shall set -up a Citizen Community Council for the Walled City 60 [and heritage area]. (2) The Authority shall nominate four members of the Citizen Community Council fr om amongst the elected representatives of the local governments of the area of the Walled City 61 [and heritage area] or in their absence from amongst the owners, occupants and inhabitants. (3) The Director General shall be the Chairperson of the Citizen Community Council. (4) The Citizen Community Council shall act for– (i) mobilization of stakeholders for community involvement for conservation of heritage; (ii) identification of development and municipal needs of the inhabitants; and (iii) recommendation of proposals for preparation of any scheme to the Authority for civic up-lift of infrastructure and 62 [conservation of the heritage area, heritage property and heritage of the Walled City]. 39. Trade and Business Council .– (1) The Authority shall set -up a T rade and Business Council for the 63 [walled cities, heritage areas and heritage properties] 58Substituted for the words "Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.18. 59Substituted for the words "Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.18. 60Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.19 (a). 61Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.19 (a). 62Substituted for the words "conservation of heritage of the Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.19 (b). 63Substituted for the words "Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.2 (e). which shall be responsible for coordinating commercial activities in the 64 [walled cities, heritage areas and heritage properties]. (2) The Trade and Business Counci l shall act as coordinator between traders or businessmen of the 65 [walled cities, heritage areas and heritage properties] and the Authority. (3) Trade and Business Council shall consist of four elected representatives of the traders and businessmen of the 66 [walled cities, heritage areas and heritage properties]. (4) The Director General shall be the Chairperson of the Trade and Business Council. CHAPTER XI FINANCE, TAXATION, ACCOUNTS & AUDIT 40. Fund of the Authority .– (1) The Government shall establish a fund of the Authority to be known as the 67 [walled cities, heritage areas and heritage properties] Fund which shall vest in the Authority. (2) The Authority shall maintain the Fund in the prescribed manner. (3) The Fund shall comprise– (i) grants received from the Government through budgetary allocations; (ii) grants received from the Government for master conservation plan or scheme; (iii) money received from the Federal Government or any international organization by way of grant, loan, advance or others; (iv) money received from the disposal of movable and immovable property of the Authority; (v) fee, tax, rate, charge, rent or fine received by the Authority; and (vi) any other money received by the Authority. 41. Power to borrow money .– The Authority m ay, with the prior approval of the Government, borrow money for– (i) execution of a work authorized under the Act; (ii) payment of compensation for the land or property acquired for purposes of the Act; (iii) payment of loan raised under the Act; or 64Substituted for the words "Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.2 (e). 65Substituted for the words "Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.2 (e). 66Substituted for the words "Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.2 (e). 67Substituted for the words "Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7404, s.2 (e). (iv) any other purpose under the Act. 42. Audit.– (1) In addition to the pre -audit by the Government Auditors, the Authority shall appoint or hire services of a Chartered Accountant or a firm of Chartered Accountants for purposes of annual audit of its accounts. (2) The Director General shall, within six months of the close of a financial year, submit the annual statement of accounts along with the report of the auditor to the Authority. 43. Recovery of dues .– A sum due to the Authority shall be recoverable as arrears of land revenue. 44. Levy of taxes, fees, charges, cesses and rates by Authority .– The Authority may, in a fair and equitable manner, levy taxes, cesses, fees, rates, rents, tolls, charge, and levies on following subjects:- (i) taxes and fee on transfer of property; (ii) maintenance and updating various records by the Authority; (iii) fee for various utility services including but not limited to water supply, sewerage, waste disposal; (iv) fee for grant of various licenses and permits; (v) toll on roads maintained by the Authority; (vi) fee for entertainment, amusement or sports events; (vii) market fees and shop taxes; (viii) fee on outdoor advertisements; (ix) fee for sanction of erection or re-erection of buildings; (x) development charges; and (xi) land use conversion charges. CHAPTER XII OFFENCES, PENALTIES AND COGNIZANCE 45. Offences and penalties .– (1) A person who willfully causes damage, or allows damage to be caused to any heritage property in a zone of special value shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to 68 [two million rupees but not less than two hundred thousand rupees] or with both. (2) A person who makes any alteration, or allows alteration to be made in a heritage property or a property situated in a zone of special value in violation of section 24, shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to six months 68Substituted for the words "one million rupees” by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.20 (a). or with fine which may extend to 69 [five hundred thousand rupees but not less than two hundred thousand rupees] or with both. (3) A person who erects any unauthorized construction after coming into force of the Act shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to one million rupees 70 [but not less than two hundred thousand rupees] or with both. (4) A person who demolishes any building or part thereof, in violation of section 28 shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to one million rup ees 71 [but not less than two hundred thousand rupees] or with both. (5) A person who makes any encroachment shall, in addition to payment of cost of removal of encroachment to Authority, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to five hundred thousand rupees 72 [but not less than two hundred thousand rupees] or with both. (6) A person who conducts any business, commercial, industrial or other profit earning activity without the requisite p ermission or license under the Act, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to 73 [five hundred thousand rupees but not less than two hundred thousand rupees] or with both. (7) A person w ho obstructs any person who is acting on behalf of the Authority for the removal of an unauthorized building or encroachment shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to thirty days or with fine which may extend to 74 [five hundred thousand rupees but not less than two hundred thousand rupees] or with both. (8) A person who, without any lawful cause, refuses or willfully neglects to provide to any authorized officer of the Authority with the means necessary for entering into any premises for purpo ses of collecting any information or making an examination or enquiry for purposes of the Act, shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to thirty days or with fine which may extend to 75 [five hundred thousand rupees but not less than two hundred thousand rupees] or with both. (9) A person who contravenes any provision of the Act, rules or regulations, shall, if no other penalty is provided for such contravention, be punished 69Substituted for the words "one hundred thousand rupees” by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.20 (b). 70Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.20 (c). 71Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.20 (c). 72Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.20 (d). 73Substituted for the words "one hundred thousand rupees” by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.20 (e). 74Substituted for the words "one hundred thousand rupees” by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.20 (e). 75Substituted for the words "one hundred thousand rupees” by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.20 (e). with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month or with fi ne which may extend to five hundred thousand rupees 76 [but not less than two hundred thousand rupees] or with both. (10) A person who attempts to commit or abets the commission of an offence punishable under the Act, shall be deemed to have committed that offence. 77 [11) A person who commits an offence of littering, spiting, vandalism and violating the sanitation of the area inside the monuments, precincts or spaces of Walled City, heritage area or heritage property, shall be punished with fine which may extend to then thousand rupees.] 78 [46. Cognizance.– (1) The Court of the Magistrate of First Class shall take cognizance of an offence under the Act on a complaint made in writing by the Director General or an officer authorized by him and try such offence under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898). (2) The Director General or an officer authorized by him may, on reasonable grounds, compound an offence or withdraw the complaint with or without any compensation. (3) The offences or violations under the Act shall be non-bailable.] CHAPTER XIII GENERAL 47. Appeal.– (1) A person aggrieved by any decision or order of the Authority on the ground that it is contrary to the provisions of the Act may, within thirty days of the receipt of such decision or order, appeal to the Lahore High Court in the manner prescribed by the said Court for filing the first appeal and the Lahore High Court shall decide such appeal within ninety days. (2) A person aggrieved by any decision or order of any officer of the Authority acting under the delegated powers of the Authority may, within thirty days of the receipt of the decision or order, appeal to the Authority in the prescribed manner and the Authority shall decide such appeal within thirty days. 48. Entry and survey .– A person authorized by the Authority may, in the prescribed manner and with due regard to the privacy, enter and survey any premises in the 79 [walled cities, heritage areas and heritage properties] to inspect any building for purposes of the Act. 76Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.20 (f). 77Added by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Ac t 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.20 (g). 78Substituted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.21. 79Substituted for the words "Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7404, s.2 (e). 49. Power to make rules .– The Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, make rules for giving effect to the provisions of the Act. 50. Power to frame regulations .– Subject to the Act and the rules, the Authority may, with the previous approval of the Government, frame regulations for matters not provided for in the rules and for wh ich provision is necessary or expedient for carrying out the purposes of the Act. 51. Act to have overriding effect .– The provisions of the Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other law. 52. Jurisdiction of courts barred .– Save as otherwise provided by the Act, no court or other Authority shall have jurisdiction to question the legality of anything done or any action taken under the Act, by or at the instance of the Authority. 80 [52-A. Amendment in the Schedule.– The Government may, on the recommendations of the Authority, by notification in the official Gazette, amend the Schedule.] 53. Removal of difficulties .– The Government may, by order not being inconsistent with the Act, provide for the removal of any difficulty which may arise in giving effect to the provisions of the Act. 54. Immunity.– No suit, prosecution or any other legal proceedings shall lie against the Authority, 81 [the members of the Lahore Heritage Area Revival Board including its Chairman, the members of the Monitoring Cell,] the Director General, any member, officer, servant, expert or consultant of the Authority in respect of anything done or intended to be done in good faith under the Act. 55. Enforcement measures .– The Authority may issue directions for effective enforcement of the provisions of the Act, the rules or the regulations. 56. Administrative transition.– On coming into force of the Act, a Government Agency shall continue to perform its function in the 82 [walled cities, heritage areas and heritage properties] without any interruption till such time and to such extent as the Authority may, by notification, specify. 57. Annual report .– (1) The Director Gener al shall, within three months of the end of a financial year, submit annual performance report to the Authority enumerating all the activities, developmental initiatives undertaken and targets achieved during the previous financial year for the betterment of the 83 [walled cities, heritage areas and heritage properties]. 80Inserted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7404, s.22. 81Substituted by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7404, s.23. 82Substituted for the words "Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.2 (e). 83Substituted for the words "Walled City" by the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Act 2026 (XLV of 2026) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 June 2026, pp. 7403-7408, s.2 (e). (2) The Authority shall publish the report for public information and submit the same to the Government which shall lay the report in the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab. SCHEDULE See section 2(xli) The areas of Walled City– 1. Walled City, comprising Union Councils 27, 28, 29 and 30 Ravi Town, Lahore, with their boundaries as on the commencing day of the Act including the outer circumference of the circular road around the four Union Councils. 2. The Minto Park and Iqbal Park, situated in the north of the Walled City including the road surrounding the twin parks.