LAHORE: The controversy surrounding the historic Ewing Hall in Lahore has deepened as government authorities rejected reports of a planned demolition, while Forman Christian College University (FCCU) questioned the legality of rent claims and the process through which the property was repossessed.
The dispute emerged after the Punjab government took control of the century-old building near Neela Gumbad, prompting concern among alumni, activists and members of the public who feared the heritage structure could be demolished.
In a statement, the Lahore Heritage Areas Revival Board (LHAR) said Ewing Hall would be preserved and restored rather than demolished. The board stated that the property had originally been leased to Forman Christian College in 1915 for use as a student hostel and claimed that outstanding rent amounting to Rs107 million remained unpaid despite repeated notices.
According to the board, a legal process was initiated earlier this year, including a show-cause notice issued by the Board of Revenue. Following hearings involving FCCU representatives and officials from the Higher Education Department, an order was passed in April 2026 resuming the land in favour of the government.
The LHAR Board emphasized that both it and the Walled City of Lahore Authority are mandated to conserve and restore historical buildings. It maintained that the action was related to legal and heritage management issues and not directed against any institution or community.
FCCU, however, challenged the government’s position, arguing that it should not be required to pay rent for the period between 1975 and 2003 when the college was nationalised and under government control. The university also disputed claims that the building had remained unused since 2015, stating it served as a hostel until the Covid-19 pandemic.
The university said it had commissioned a structural assessment and planned renovation work, expressing hope that discussions with authorities would lead to a fair resolution that preserves the historic building and restores its educational use.