Nishat was one of my first movie experiences (Monks of the Shaolin Temple!). I still remember the anticipation of the visit.

Sad state of affairs. Those who burnt the cinema must now be sent to Military Court for trial.

Its time to recover from past.

If the government was not able to protect the property of its people then at least it can bring justice by incarcerating those responsible for this atrocity. We should start a fund for rehabilitation of this iconic cinema. Let the sane prevail and justice be served.

Heartbreaking pictures. Like this cinema Pakistan was once a beautiful place with bright minded people. All ruined.

Arson,looting and damaging buildings of public importance is a national loss and such losses are actually at par with the personal loss. In this subcontinent it is great belief that before doing any act good or bad think twice. The persons who have made the theater so have never thought so,now they must repent for thins wrongful doing that they have done their own loss.

Time for introspection......

@Syed Ahmed I agree with you. They should be punished severely. The problem with Pakistanis and their Mullahs are if they are protesting against America , France etc they burn their own dwellings. Do they think with their minds or are they all block heads like their leader mullahs . How could you hurt USA by burning your own houses? Did they save Islam by burning their own cultural historic building. All Christian Pastors and the USA as a whole must be laughing at your own madness.

The owners and managers of the cinema must be compensated by the provincial government for complete renovation of the place and enterprise of the cinema. This is the least that can be given to the shocked and traumatized cinema operators. Many years have passed but it seems that the powers that be are not inclined to look at this glaring scar of their incompetence in safeguarding the life and property of their citizens.

Shared good memories with friends at this place. What is lost cannot be returned, but still there is potential for a good ending. If they had the will, they could any day turn it into a modern Cinema like Atrium, Nueplex or Cinepax. Lets hope the new owners will.

Even the charred remains cannot hide the elegant design of the former cinema building.

My grandfather use to travel all the way in train from Jodhpur in Rajasthan to this cinema hall in Karachi to watch Ashok Kumar's movies. He was popular star of that time. With a nostalgic link, love and concern about Pakistan, I sometimes wonder will everything good disappear there?

People are being killed, Schools Being Bombed and Cinemas being burned but according to Government "ALL IS WELL"

What's next?

@Zulfiqar and Javed bhai, kuch karo please

When I was a child, I saw my first movie, King Kong, in the Nishat Cinema. This cinema must be restored. Its our heritage and we all should take the ownership of this iconic building. Mr. Mandiwala, please don't sell this property.

Nishat Cinema was built in 1946 during British India Rule and inaugurated by Sister of the Nation, Madam Fatima Jinnah in 1947 with an Indian movie. Its one of the protected heritage of the past. Some mysterious force is destroying all protected heritage in Karachi under disguise one by one. Whatever it is, I request British Govt to interfere and protect their historical monuments from destruction. Do you see why they called olden days cinema houses as Talkies? During those days all cinema houses used to show silent movies before the introduction of sound movies, for this reason, theatres proudly promoted this revolutionary change called Talkies in 1930s & 40s. Nishat Talkies was one of those historical theatres. Goodbye old friend.