Pakistani extremists prevent Lahore from returning to original Hindu, Sikh names

27-May-2026

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The Punjab government in Pakistan, led by Maryam Nawaz, proposed restoring pre-Partition Hindu and British-era names for several Lahore roads and localities as part of a heritage preservation project. 

Despite initial approval, the plan faced fierce backlash from extremists and social media critics who framed the move as religiously controversial, prompting authorities to defer the decision. 

Historians and experts largely supported reviving Lahore's multicultural past, but extremist opposition stalled the initiative aimed at preserving the city's historical identity.