By Aitzaz Ibrahim
LAHORE
An alleged takeover of Ewing Hall, the historic building associated with Lahore’s historic Forman Christian College University (FCCU) located in the Anarkali area, has triggered concern among the university administration, heritage experts and rights organisations. Questions are being raised over the transparency and due process of the move as well as the issue of cultural heritage and its preservation.
The FCCU administration says that the Punjab government took control of Ewing Hall on Thursday, June 12, 2026, and gave the university only 24 hours to remove its property from the premises.In an official statement, FCCU Rector Dr Jonathan Addleton said that the university had observed “with mounting concern” the forcible takeover of the historic building, situated in Anarkali near Neela Gumbad in Lahore’s old city.
“Ewing Hall has long remained part of Forman’s campus, and the initial lease for the property was signed in 1915,” he informed. According to the university, the lease had been renewed multiple times, most recently extending into the 2040s.
Raza said Ewing Hall had previously been used as a student hostel, but was vacated after the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, only security personnel and university property had remained on the premises. She said the university administration had recently conducted an inspection and planned to restore the building for hostel use once again.
“This is a historical and heritage building, and it had been leased by the government until 2040. Our request to the government is that the building be returned to us,” she said.
The development has also drawn concern from heritage conservation experts.
Architect Raza Ali Dada, speaking to Voicepk, emphasized that the Ewing Hall building is an important part of Lahore’s architectural and cultural heritage and deserves to be carefully preserved. He noted that, rather than considering demolition, efforts should be directed toward restoration, continued stewardship and adaptive reuse of the structure.
“The ongoing beautification initiatives of the Punjab government in the Neela Gumbad area would be greatly enriched by the conservation and integration of this historic building, whose character and significance contribute meaningfully to the identity of the neighbourhood,” he said. “In fact this building is included on the list of protected heritage structures.” He said that the future of the building should be addressed in accordance with the legal protections afforded to such sites.
Dean of the FCCU Humanities Department, Dr Altafullah Khan, told Voicepk that universities in Pakistan already facing numerous challenges, and such treatment of a prestigious educational institution was unacceptable. “If a restoration plan existed, the university should have been consulted beforehand. At least it is unfair not to give time to vacate,” he said.
The Lahore Conservation Society Collective also strongly urged the Government of Punjab to reconsider any plans involving the acquisition, demolition, or irreversible alteration of Ewing Hall, a protected heritage building formally listed under the Punjab Special Premises (Preservation) Ordinance, 1985. In a public statement it said that any action affecting its character, structure, or setting must comply with the provisions of the law governing the preservation of protected historic properties.
Responding to the uproad, adviser to Punjab Chief Minister, Ali Dar, defended the government’s move while responding to concerns raised by a social media user regarding the occupation or possible demolition of the building.
“It is being restored; not torn down,” Dar wrote. “It was abandoned for ages and now the Punjab government has intervened to bring it back to its long-lost glory.”
Meanwhile the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed concern over reports of the forcible takeover.
In a statement, HRCP said it was deeply concerned by reports involving Ewing Hall, describing the building as a site of historical, educational and cultural significance long associated with FCCU.
The Commission noted the allegations by the college authorities of a sudden and abrupt deadline given by the Punjab government to vacate the premises, without any meaningful consultation or sufficient time to secure historical materials. HRCP said the incident raised serious questions about transparency, due process and the stewardship of shared heritage.
“Any decision involving a site of such significance should not be made unilaterally or under conditions that could result in irreversible loss,” it said in the statement. “If there is any possible alteration or demolition, the physical integrity of Ewing Hall must be protected at all costs.”