KARACHI: The city administration in collaboration with the Heritage Foundation Pakistan and Rotary Club Karachi has decided to embark on the “scientific cleaning” of the facades of historic buildings.

Official sources said that the task would begin with the Denso Hall facade cleaning festival from April 14.

They said that the decision to this effect was taken recently at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani.

Yasmeen Lari, the founder of the Heritage Foundation and renowned architect, briefed the participants of the meeting about the campaign saying that it would be an effort to bring back the glory of the city.

She said that beginning with Denso Hall (1886), facades of all buildings located on Marriott Road would be taken up one at a time every Sunday as a voluntary movement for safeguarding Karachi’s heritage and creating livelihood opportunities through pedestrianising Marriott Road.

She said that the Rotary Club was a partner in this venture and the government had given it its blessings.

She made a detailed presentation on the method of gentle scientific cleaning of Karachi’s beautiful buff-coloured stone to heritage volunteers.

She said that the occasion provided an opportunity to all Karachiites to participate in taking care of our heritage.

The commissioner said that the provincial government was making all-out efforts for the development and beautification of the city and civil society’s support would be encouraged.

He hoped that the programme would be helpful in raising public awareness regarding various environmental aspects.

Commissioner Shallwani directed the officials of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, district municipal corporations, traffic police and other agencies concerned to extend all possible support regarding the cleanliness and beautification work conceptualised by the Heritage Foundation’s programme.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2019