Requiem for a city: Shikarpur photo gallery

Published February 26, 2014
A front view of "Naz Cinema", Lakhi Darr, Shikarpur, December 2013.
A front view of "Naz Cinema", Lakhi Darr, Shikarpur, December 2013.
A view of Lakhi Darr from the Naz Cinema balocny, Shikarpur.
A view of Lakhi Darr from the Naz Cinema balocny, Shikarpur.
The ticketing booth of "Naz Cinema", initially known as Capital Talkies, Lakhi Darr, Shikarpur, December 2013.
The ticketing booth of "Naz Cinema", initially known as Capital Talkies, Lakhi Darr, Shikarpur, December 2013.
Naz Cinema was called 'Capital Talkies' because it was the first Cinema to introduce audio in film, before which all cinemas played silent movies.
Naz Cinema was called 'Capital Talkies' because it was the first Cinema to introduce audio in film, before which all cinemas played silent movies.
Shikarpur initially had three cinemas, one of which is  'Naz Cinema' formerly known as 'Capital Talkies'.
Shikarpur initially had three cinemas, one of which is 'Naz Cinema' formerly known as 'Capital Talkies'.
A view of the first floor balcony, made to accomodate special guests visiting the 'Naz Cinema', Shikarpur, December 2013.
A view of the first floor balcony, made to accomodate special guests visiting the 'Naz Cinema', Shikarpur, December 2013.
Clock Tower near Lakhi Darr. Built by two local Hindu businessmen, in memory of their father, Seth Hiranand Nandramdas Bajaj, in 1935.
Clock Tower near Lakhi Darr. Built by two local Hindu businessmen, in memory of their father, Seth Hiranand Nandramdas Bajaj, in 1935.
Woodcarving and elaborate ornamentation on doors are very commonly seen while walking through the streets of Lakhi Dar, Shikarpur.
Woodcarving and elaborate ornamentation on doors are very commonly seen while walking through the streets of Lakhi Dar, Shikarpur.
Woodcarving and elaborate ornamentation on doors are very commonly seen while walking through the streets of Lakhi Dar, Shikarpur.
Woodcarving and elaborate ornamentation on doors are very commonly seen while walking through the streets of Lakhi Dar, Shikarpur.
Woodcarving and elaborate ornamentation on doors are very commonly seen while walking through the streets of Lakhi Dar, Shikarpur.
Woodcarving and elaborate ornamentation on doors are very commonly seen while walking through the streets of Lakhi Dar, Shikarpur.
A Haveli in Shikarpur, near the clock tower, Lakhi Darr.
A Haveli in Shikarpur, near the clock tower, Lakhi Darr.
Dewan Hotel,  an old and famous hangout which is now crowded with vehicles and pollution.
Dewan Hotel, an old and famous hangout which is now crowded with vehicles and pollution.
At a walking distance from Lakhi Darr, there is the famous Dhak Bazaar, or the covered market. Built in 1780-90 under the rule of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
At a walking distance from Lakhi Darr, there is the famous Dhak Bazaar, or the covered market. Built in 1780-90 under the rule of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
At a walking distance from Lakhi Darr, there is the famous Dhak Bazaar, or the covered market. Built in 1780-90 under the rule of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
At a walking distance from Lakhi Darr, there is the famous Dhak Bazaar, or the covered market. Built in 1780-90 under the rule of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
Sir Henry Tristram Holland,  a Christian medical missionary traveled to India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, to provide ophthalmologic surgery and care. He is known for establishing hospitals in Quetta and North Sindh and has performed more than 100,000 successful eye surgeries.
Sir Henry Tristram Holland, a Christian medical missionary traveled to India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, to provide ophthalmologic surgery and care. He is known for establishing hospitals in Quetta and North Sindh and has performed more than 100,000 successful eye surgeries.
A team from Holland travels each year to set up an Annual Eye Camp in which they perform several kinds of eye surgeries and patients from neighbouring areas travel to Shikarpur in great abundance to be treated.
A team from Holland travels each year to set up an Annual Eye Camp in which they perform several kinds of eye surgeries and patients from neighbouring areas travel to Shikarpur in great abundance to be treated.
The maintenance of the Eye Clinic, built by Sir Henry in Shikarpur, is under the authority of the Christian Hospital Quetta contractor; the condition of the building is very poor.
The maintenance of the Eye Clinic, built by Sir Henry in Shikarpur, is under the authority of the Christian Hospital Quetta contractor; the condition of the building is very poor.
Since the construction is poorly maintained, the doctors use a camp and tables as a substitute to attend patients.
Since the construction is poorly maintained, the doctors use a camp and tables as a substitute to attend patients.
If the hospital can be maintained and if the corruption can stay out of the equation, the large area can be put to great use.
If the hospital can be maintained and if the corruption can stay out of the equation, the large area can be put to great use.
The main entrance to Hopeful academy now known as Government High School NUmber 2.
The main entrance to Hopeful academy now known as Government High School NUmber 2.
The right wing of the school now faces demolition due to insistence from it's engineer for renovation.
The right wing of the school now faces demolition due to insistence from it's engineer for renovation.
The Latif Hall, named after the the poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. The recent addition of the gray marble is evident in comparison to the solid pale marble that was used when the building was constructed.
The Latif Hall, named after the the poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. The recent addition of the gray marble is evident in comparison to the solid pale marble that was used when the building was constructed.
A class room which can accommodate a hundred children faces demolition.
A class room which can accommodate a hundred children faces demolition.
Students attending a class at the Government High School Number 2.
Students attending a class at the Government High School Number 2.
A class room which can accommodate a hundred children faces demolition.
A class room which can accommodate a hundred children faces demolition.
The gothic cross patterns add to the elaborate architecture of the school.
The gothic cross patterns add to the elaborate architecture of the school.
A view of the Latif Hall.
A view of the Latif Hall.
Students attending a class at the Government High School Number 2.
Students attending a class at the Government High School Number 2.

Opinion

Editorial

Punishing evaders
02 May, 2024

Punishing evaders

THE FBR’s decision to block mobile phone connections of more than half a million individuals who did not file...
Engaging Riyadh
Updated 02 May, 2024

Engaging Riyadh

It must be stressed that to pull in maximum foreign investment, a climate of domestic political stability is crucial.
Freedom to question
02 May, 2024

Freedom to question

WITH frequently suspended freedoms, increasing violence and few to speak out for the oppressed, it is unlikely that...
Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.