SINDH CM’s special assistant on culture Sharmila Farooqui visits Mukhi House, handed over to her department for its conversion to a museum.—Dawn

HYDERABAD: Mukhi House, built in 1920 by prominent figure of Hyderabad, Mukhi Jethanand, has been handed over to the Sindh government, which will convert it to Hyderabad Museum.

This was announced by Sindh chief minister’s special assistant on culture and tourism Sharmila Farooqui while visiting the place on Wednesday.

She said necessary repair and restoration as well as renovation works would be carried out soon.

Heirs of Mr Jethanand wished to convert the building to a museum and had recently expressed their intention to hand it over to the provincial government strictly for the purpose.

Ms Farooqui, along with officials of her department, went round various portions of the building and examined its condition.

Speaking to the media, she said that an amount of Rs25 million was being allocated for the repair, rehabilitation and renovation of the proposed museum now when the Mukhi House had formally been handed over to the department.

Later, she held a meeting to review the pace of work on various development schemes being executed by her department at various historical sites in Hyderabad.

She observed that historical and heritage sites were part of Sindh’s culture and, as such, they would be preserved, looked after and restored to their original state at all costs. Stern action would be taken against the elements involved in raising illegal structures on these sites, she warned, and called for the removal of all such encroachments.

During the meeting, she issued directives for the issuance of show-cause notices to Sindh Museum director and others officials over unsanitation at its workshop, washrooms and store. “The director and his subordinates must mend their ways and pay due attention to conditions at the museum,” she said.

Ms Farooqui also reviewed the progress of work for the repair, renovation and rehabilitation of Mir Tombs being carried out at a cost of Rs10 million provided by the endowment fund.

She visited the Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro mausoleum and inspected the ongoing restoration and rehabilitation works for which Rs29 million had been allocated.

During her visit to the Hasrat Mohani Library, visitors complained about a shortage of books. She asked culture secretary, Dr Niaz Ali Abbasi, to ensure availability of an adequate number of books. She also called for opening the library to the public only on Sundays. She said the PC-1 was being prepared for expanding the compound of the library, installing water tanks and laying of a park and ensuring proper lighting. She said the works would be started as soon as the PC-1 was approved.

During her visit to the dilapidated building of Mir’s Haram at Pucca Qila, she said that a committee should be formed for its conservation.

The committee should conduct a survey and submit its proposals besides giving an estimate for the restoration work, she said. She also asked for a survey of the Qila’s old museum.

Reviewing the ongoing uplift works at the Mehran Arts Council, Ms Farooqui said that after construction of an open-air theatre, the work for a rehearsal room, lighting arrangement etc would be started. A total of Rs21 million would be spent on these works, she added.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2015

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