* Tourist says economic factors are linked to Food Street, livelihood of thousands depends on it
* Lahore DCO says Food Street not shut down, only gate removed to facilitate citizens

The cultural icons of the city are its identity and eliminating them means crushing the city’s soul, Beaconhouse National University (BNU) School of Visual Arts Dean Saleema Hashmi has told Daily Times.

Hashmi said the Food Street had become a cultural symbol both locally and internationally and many foreign tourists visited it. She said the presence of both continental and desi cuisine in one place surrounded by centuries-old buildings was unique even to individuals who had toured the globe. Hashmi said she had thought the government would expand the project and facilitate the shopkeepers and it was absurd to destroy it instead.

Lively: Crowded tables in Food Street, Lahore

Economic Factors: A Britain-based writer and tourist, Qalander Memon said the government could not neglect economic factors linked to the Food Street, since the livelihood of thousands depended on it. He said governments in the past had neglected the Walled City, which was the original Lahore and they had concentrated on developing newer areas instead.

“People of this area are less privileged than those in posh localities. Destroying local traditions will result in chaos,”