KARACHI: The hands of the historical clock in the clock tower at the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s (KMC) imposing colonial-era building finally began to move after falling into disrepair many years ago, Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar announced on Tuesday.

“The clock tower of the KMC’s historical building has been repaired after a long time to maintain historical significance of the town building,” said the mayor while examining the giant mechanism that began showing the right time to citizens after remaining motionless for almost a decade.

He said the KMC building had been handed over to him in a pathetic condition, however, his municipal administration was giving it a makeover, and the clock tower’s repair was part of that large scheme.

“The remaining [seven] clock towers in the city would also be repaired with due diligence,” he said.

He said LED lights would be added to the classic KMC clock tower to enhance its visibility, especially at night. Besides, a relevant company would be assigned to take care of the city’s once beautiful clock towers.

Officials said the clock tower was made part of the KMC building’s design in 1935 to celebrate the silver jubilee of King George V’s rule. The KMC spent Rs400,000 on the restoration of the building.

The mayor was informed that a conservancy board was formed in 1846 and a local government system, constituted under the Imperial Act in 1850, had been working during different periods under different laws.

The Imperial Act of 1850 was initially followed by four cities — Madras, Calcutta, Bombay and Karachi. In September 1852, a municipality was formed in Karachi.

The building was designed by James S.C. Wyunes of Edinburgh and its initial construction was supervised by the then municipality’s chief engineer while its structure was completed by Jehangir & Sons on Nov 5, 1927.

The building’s construction was completed on Dec 31, 1930 at a cost of Rs1.775 million and it was inaugurated on Jan 7, 1932.

On August 25, 1947 the Quaid-i-Azam visited it. The building soon changed the city’s face with its aesthetically attractive design.

The municipality was turned into a municipal corporation in 1933 with 57 councillors.

The number of elected members was increased to 100 in 1953, which was further increased to 145 constituencies called panchayats in 1979. The seats were increased to 202 in 1983. In 1987, two-tier local body system was created for the first time. At that time Karachi comprised of four districts.

The seats were increased to 255 in 2001 and now the number of elected members is 308.

The mayor was informed that the clock tower’s spare parts were available in Britain and no one in Pakistan could repair it. The authorities went the extra mile to get the mechanism corrected by the English Watch Company, officials said.

The mayor said the KMC building had held a reception for more than 100 heads of state in the past.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2017