US Ambassador Donald Blome praises restoration of Frere Hall

Envoy says Frere Hall will continue to serve as a space for Karachi’s vibrant artistic community

US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome on Thursday lauded the successful restoration of the historic Frere Hall in Karachi, a project funded by the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP).

Speaking at a ceremony at the site, Blome highlighted the restoration as a symbol of the shared values between the US and Pakistan.

“On behalf of the US government and the American people, it is an honour to join you today as we celebrate the completion of this remarkable project,” Blome said.

“Thanks to the AFCP, Frere Hall will continue to serve as a space for Karachi’s vibrant artistic community and as a testament to the city’s rich cultural heritage.”

Blome praised the Sindh Exploration and Adventure Society (SEAS) for leading the three-year project and emphasised the involvement of local students in learning historic preservation skills.

He also toured the restored site, admiring the craftsmanship of the staircase, bookshelves, and gallery, which have been meticulously brought back to life.

The project marks the fourth major cultural preservation effort in Sindh supported by the AFCP, with previous work including the restoration of the Makli Necropolis and the Varun Dev Temple.

Blome announced that the next AFCP project will focus on restoring the Mehrgarh Museum in Quetta.