The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan (AKCS-P) to rehabilitate selected structures of Lahore’s iconic spice market.

Located at the Akbari Gate in the Walled City, the site is considered one of the largest spice markets in Asia. Named after the Mughal emperor Akbar, the wholesale spice market is around 500 years old, making it one of the oldest centres to trade in hundreds of different spices.

Speaking on the occasion, Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) Director General Kamran Lashari reaffirmed his commitment to preserving the city’s cultural heritage.

“We look forward to our continued partnership with AKCS-P. Together we have achieved significant milestones in the preservation of some of Lahore’s most celebrated historic sites," he remarked.

During the meeting, case studies of ancient spice markets located in Morrocco and Turkey were presented and discussed as a reference for the planned initiative.

AKCS-P CEO Tausif Ahmad stated that the longstanding strategic partnership with the WCLA had led to seamless restoration activities, which utilised the expertise of skilled craftsmen, artists and architects.

“The spice market is a vibrant and popular space in the walled city of Lahore which is frequented by swarms of visitors every day,” he said, adding that they hoped to restore the market to its past glory as per the interventions outlined in the MoU, to allow both tourists and nearby residents to experience the historical site in its full splendor.

For almost two decades, the WCLA and AKCS-P have undertaken joint efforts to restore Lahore’s historical buildings, including the Lahore Fort, Shahi Hamam and Wazir Khan Mosque.