Khaliqdina Hall to get makeover
Mayor Murtaza Wahab said on Friday that steps are being taken to preserve the historical buildings of Karachi in their original condition.
"Living nations preserve their heritage sites for future generations," he said reviewing Ghulam Hoosain Khaliqidina Hall and Library and The Max Denso Hall and Library located on MA Jinnah Road.
The mayor reminded that the design, structure and elevation of historical buildings cannot be changed.
Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) was responsible for preservation and renovation of its historical buildings.
Mayor said that a Karachi Museum will be established in Denso Hall along with a library. KMC City Council, through a resolution, has approved this museum, he said.
Wahab said the museum would house rare artefacts like old maps and photographs related to the history, civilization, culture of Karachi.
He said that in the past some encroachment were removed from the access road to the Denso Hall, but more steps will be taken to make the place beautiful and accessible. Presently, it is even difficult to walk on the street leading to the hall due to the encroachment.
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Wahab took strict notice of installing iron gates in the rooms of Khaliqdina Hall and directed to remove them immediately.
He said that the historical buildings around the world are the identity of that city. It was here at the Khaliqdina Hall that the British authorities conducted the trial against Maulana Mohammad Ali Johar his brother Maulana Shaukat Ali Jauhar and their associates for leading the Khilafat Movement in support of the Ottomon Empire during the WWI.
Tax on cellular towers
Mayor Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, has appointed Senior Director Anti-Encroachment, KMC as the annual tax recovery officer of base transceiver station (BTS) towers under KMC Council Resolution No12, dated December 7, 2023.
According to the notification issued in this regard, department of KMC under Section 96, Schedule V, Part 1 (10) of Anti-Encroachment Sindh Local Government Act 2013 (Amended 2023) has been authorised to levy and recover annual tax from cellular companies on BTS towers installed within KMC limits. The annual tax per BTS tower is Rs30,000.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 16th, 2023.