Saving history: Lawmakers ask students, researchers to visit Sindh archives

KARACHI:

Researchers, students, readers and ordinary residents should visit the Sindh archives department in Clifton, suggested the lawmakers on Monday.

“One can find records of pre-Partition newspapers in the library,” said information minister Sharjeel Memon, adding that it is a state-of-the-art facility. “The location is very good,” pointed out MQM’s Syed Sardar Ahmed. “I see foreign students and researchers visit it. All members should also visit it.” Ahmed also highlighted the importance of Frere Hall. The hall is being looked after by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, adding that its library is in a pathetic condition. On the performance of his department, Memon said that his department is aware of the importance of the hall. “We don’t allow anyone to use the hall for any function,” he said.

Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani recalled the trams in Karachi. “We should visit old places to highlight their importance,” he said. “Will Sharjeel sahab offer tea and samosas if the assembly members visit the Sindh Archives library,” he joked.

Pollution

Meanwhile, PTI’s Khurram Sher Zaman raised the issue of garbage burning in Clifton and other parts of the city. Memon told him that the city generates 12,000 tons of garbage every day and the capacity is only to take care of 4,500 tons. “We know it [burning garbage] pollutes our environment,” he said. Most workers of his department threw garbage in different areas, including Malir River but he assured that they are trying to improve their capacity.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 28^th, 2015.