[MSN] Pakistan. Writings on the walls: Archaeology dept to install cameras at fort.

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

Writings on the walls: Archaeology dept to install cameras at fort

By Hina Farooq

LAHORE: The Archaeology Department will install cameras at the Lahore Fort
to help ensure security and protect the monument's walls from being
vandalised by visitors, Daily Times learnt on Tuesday.

The department will also install a public address system and provide guides
at the fort. It will also fix lights at the Lahore Museum. "Installing
cameras will help restrain people from writing names on the walls and
trees," official sources said.

Some of the writings on the walls date back to the British era. Sikh and the
British soldiers wrote the names of their girlfriends and regiments at Shah
Jahan's quadrangle, Hati Pair and Deewan-e-Aam.

After the conservation work at Dewan-e- Aam and Shah Jehan's quadrangle, the
authorities have put up a notice, warning people of fine for vandalising the
walls or the trees. Afzal Khan, a curator at the Lahore Fort, said,
"installing cameras is the department's priority.

Archaeology Department director Oriya Maqbool Jan said Rs 22 million would
be spent on the development of the Lahore Museum and the installation of
security cameras at the Lahore Fort. He said the cameras would be installed
in such a way that they do not affect the monument's original grandeur. He
said visitors would be provided guides to facilitate their visits. He said
installation of lights would give museum a new look.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/