News Desk
The News Desk provides timely and factual coverage of national and international events, with an emphasis on accuracy and clarity.
Multiple Indian mainstream and digital media outlets have been running news reports since May 19, 2026, claiming that the Punjab government had decided to restore pre-partition street names in Lahore. However, the reports are false and no such decision has been taken yet.
Courtesy: iVerify Pakistan
Punjab government officials have denied claims, circulating widely in Indian media since May 19, 2026, that Lahore's streets and localities have been restored to their pre-partition names.
The iVerify Pakistan team contacted multiple Punjab government authorities and found no official notification, renamed signboards or credible documentation to support the claim.
Has the Punjab government restored pre-partition street names in Lahore?
No. Punjab government officials confirmed to Nukta that no streets in Lahore have been officially renamed. While the government approved a proposal earlier in 2026 to restore pre-partition names as part of a heritage initiative, no formal notification has been issued and official signage continues to use the post-partition names.
How did the claim about Lahore street names start?
On May 19, India Today posted a YouTube video titled "Pakistan restores pre-partition Hindu and Sikh names of Lahore streets amid minority concerns," which went on to receive over 20,000 views.
The anchor reported that Islampura had been renamed Krishan Nagar, Babri Masjid Chowk had reverted to Jain Mandir Chowk, and Mustafabad was once again called Dharampura. The report cited an unnamed Punjab government official as its source.
India Today Global followed with a separate video claiming Pakistan had officially launched a heritage revival campaign led by PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The Indian Express, NDTV, Outlook India and Brut India all published similar reports in the days that followed. None provided an official government notification, named officials, or photographs of newly installed signboards.
What did Punjab government officials say?
Hafsa Javed Khawaja, a communications specialist at the Punjab Directorate General of Public Relations, described the claim as "fake news" when contacted by Nukta Lahore editor Murtaza Dar. Lahore Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Ejaz told The Express Tribune that none of the street names had been changed and that the circulating reports were false. Metropolitan Corporation Lahore CEO Shahid Kathia also denied the claim, stating the reports had no authenticity.
Tania Qureshi, a spokesperson from the Walled City of Lahore Authority, acknowledged that discussions on the matter had taken place but confirmed no official notification had been issued by the relevant authorities.
What does signage across Lahore actually show?
A Nukta team photographed major signboards across the city and found that both old and new names are still in use, with no evidence that pre-partition names have been formally restored.
Signboards for both Dharampura and Mustafabad remain installed in several locations, contradicting claims that Mustafabad had reverted to Dharampura. Similarly, signboards for both Abbott Road and Ghaznavi Road are displayed at official institutions including the Metropolitan Corporation and the DGPR.
Lakshmi Chowk and Maulana Zafar Ali Khan Chowk signboards are both present, as are those for Lawrence Road and Bagh-e-Jinnah Road at the Punjab Transport Company and the Walled City of Lahore Authority.
Temple Road, renamed Hameed Nizami Road, and Jain Mandir Road, renamed Babri Masjid Chowk, both still appear on signboards by their original names. This reflects long-standing informal usage, not a formal government restoration.
What has the Punjab government actually approved regarding Lahore's heritage names?
Two Express Tribune reports from March and April 2026 shed light on where the story originated. The first, dated March 20, reported that a meeting chaired by CM Maryam Nawaz and Nawaz Sharif approved a decision to revive original names of roads, streets and historic government colleges in Lahore to restore the city's historical identity. The second, dated April 6, detailed a comprehensive plan to restore original names of historic areas, roads and landmarks.
Kamran Lashari, secretary of the Lahore Authority for Heritage Revival, was quoted in that report saying that restoring original street names would promote historical awareness.
He also noted that many old names had continued in public use despite official changes, indicating that historical identity had persisted informally. The plan remains a proposal; no official renaming notification has been issued to date.
FACT-CHECK STATUS: MISLEADING
The claim that Lahore has restored pre-partition street names is misleading. The Punjab government approved a proposal to explore restoring original names, but no formal action has followed.
Official signage continues to use post-partition names, and multiple government officials confirmed that no streets have been officially restored.
This fact check was originally published by iVerify Pakistan — a project of CEJ-IBA and UNDP.
Comments
See what people are discussing