Beauty compromised: Volatile security situation takes toll on SHC building’s opulence

Police posts have been constructed on the roof to deal with potential threats.

KARACHI:

Two police posts were recently constructed on the roof of the Sindh High Court building and one of them is already manned.

These posts, which compromise the beauty of the protected heritage building, were constructed because of increasing threats and a precarious security situation in Karachi, an official told The Express Tribune.

The magnificent red stone structure was built at a cost of Rs3 million in 1929. The Renaissance-style building has magnificent cupolas, balconies and tall Roman columns.

The steps in front of the building which lead to the first storey and the characteristic façade impart great dignity to the building. The whole structure appears to be a combination of local and Roman styles of architecture, but additions such as the police posts have affected its beauty. The Sindh Cultural Heritage Act 1994 bans any addition or modification without the permission of the Sindh Culture department.

Ironically while the posts were constructed to enhance security, the very same is compromised every day as vehicles without number plates are allowed to enter the Sindh High Court premises.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27^th, 2012.