April 22, 2002	Monday	Safar 8, 1423

KARACHI, April 21: A large number of schoolchildren participated in the 24th Heritage Streetfest held in connection with the Karavan Karachi — PSO RoadSense programme on Sunday afternoon.

Both the programmes were joined together, and a walk that was part of the RoadSense programme was designed in such a way that the participants passed through the streets of Civil Lines Quarters that boast of various architecturally beautiful buildings many of which are protected under the Sindh Cultural Heritage Protection Act.

The walk, led by Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro, began from Bagh-i- Quaid-i-Azam (Polo Ground) and Jinnah Courts on Dr Ziauddin Ahmad Road. Then the participants, after passing through Club Road and Fatima Jinnah Road, reached Frere Hall where the concluding function was held. Mounted police followed by bands, and scouts, etc. led the participants of the walk.

The organizers also continued to give brief resume of important buildings that the participants were passing through during their walk. They were informed that Jinnah Courts had been built as a hostel in 1933, opposite it was Polo Ground — a sprawling place and a popular park in the city — where the Father of the Nation, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, was presented the first Guard of Honour as the Governor-General of Pakistan.

The second building that the participants passed by was Chief Secretary’s House which had been built during the first quarter of the 20th century, and after that it was the former Commissioner’s House (originally Collector’s Kutchehry) which was the first civil structure in the city. Built in 1855 it served as the prototype of buildings that the British built in early days of their occupation.

The fourth building that has an Italanate character was the State Guest House which is now used as state guest house for foreign state guests. It also served as the residence of the first prime minister of Pakistan, Liaquat Ali Khan.

The fifth building — a 1920s vintage — was Lotia Building which is one of the finest specimen of the mercantile structure, and reflects the utilitarian character of buildings built by businessmen of the city. Adjacent to it are Edward House and Victoria Mansion which were designed by noted architect Moses Somake, who also designed the Flagstaff House, now known as the Quaid-i-Azam House Museum.

Then came the Sindh Club, a historic structure, whose main building dates back to 1885. Opposite it is the Quaid-i-Azam House Museum that was built in 1890s, it was acquired by the government on the recommendation of the Heritage Foundation and was restored. Though the Father of the Nation did not live in it\ even for a day, all his belongings from his Delhi and Bombay houses were brought and kept here. Fatima Jinnah lived in it for many years before she moved in to Mohatta Palace.

The last building on the walk was Frere Hall which employs neo-Gothic elements along with a steeply sloping roof.