City admin making strides to preserve heritage
Shafqat House, a heritage site, is fast losing its beauty to years of neglect. It doors and windows have been dismantled and rear portion has been turned into a seasonal cattle market. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The city administration has decided to activate the Divisional Heritage Preservation Committee, headed by the Karachi Commissioner, to enable coordinated efforts to preserve historic buildings in the city
This was decided in a meeting held with officials of the South District Administration. Commissioner Iqbal Memon directed officials to carry out coordinated efforts to make the city better and resolve public issues with the support of civic agencies.
He said the officials of all seven district administrations should work for the resolution of public grievances, in close cooperation and coordination with the civic agencies including the water and sewerage board, KMC, DMCs and cantonment boards etc.
South Deputy Commissio-ner Irshad Sodhar gave a detailed presentation to the commissioner with the help of charts and pictures. He highlighted the efforts being made by the district administration for the development and beatification of the district. He added work was afoot for the resolution of problems faced by citizens.
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He also spoke about the implementation in district south of the Karachi Neighborhood Project which was initiated by the Sindh government with the support of the World Bank. The commissioner later visited different areas of the district to learn of civic issues. He also visited the NJV school and Jehangir park.
Memon said district south was an important area as it had a number of historical places and buildings. “Here lives a diverse community. It has socioeconomic importance, as well as a large number of head offices of financial and non-government organisations.
The commissioner said the Sindh government was making complete efforts in line with the vision of Sindh Chief Minister Syed to improve facilities and the quality of life for local residents. This includes improvement in footpaths, service roads, parking lanes, food streets and green belts.
Commissioner said Sindh government was making all out efforts to make city a better place to live.
The government has devised short and long-term plans to transform Karachi into a beautiful city, which include development of roads and parks, restoration of old buildings and evolving a proper traffic management system.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 4th, 2021.