KARACHI’S love for art and culture has not just been formed by the events that take place in the city with enviable regularity; its sense of history, too, as an integral element of its cultural landscape is something that sets it apart from many, if not all, other cities of the country. On April 1, 1974 it came to light that the late Nawab Siddique Ali Khan’s private collection of historical documents and photographs had been donated to the National Museum of Pakistan by his widow. Before his demise, Nawab Sahib, who was political secretary of Shaheed-i-Millat Liaquat Ali Khan, had promised to give his collection to the museum including some of the gifts which were presented to the late prime minister, the Shaheed-i-Millat, who had handed over all such gifts to Nawab Sahib.

As a first instalment to honour his commitment, his wife donated a wooden badge of Salar-i-Ala, Muslim National Guards, a group photograph taken at Ambar Railway Station on July 15, 1940, a group photo of the guards with Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in 1946, and a photo of the Quaid taken at Madras Railway Station in 1940. The documents included communications received by Nawab Sahib from the Muslim Federation Bangalore, Muslim Students Federation Guntur, Muslim University Aligarh and the Anjuman Fidayan-i-Islam Kamalia. All the exhibits were nicely displayed.

Of course, the above-mentioned objects are priceless. But there are certain things in life for which price becomes a heated topic of discussion among the masses. On April 2, the media highlighted an increase of 20 to 30 percent in the prices of beverages and tinned food in the Sindh capital. Manufacturers claimed that the high cost of raw material and labour wages were the reasons for the hike. A popular sherbet was available at Rs9.50 per bottle whereas six months back it was sold for Rs8. A tin of jam was selling at Rs10; in October 1973 its price was Rs7.50. Similarly, a bottle of jelly sold for Rs6.50 as against Rs4.75 six months prior. However, bottles of tomato ketchup and pickles had registered an increase of 25paisa only.

But it was not all about inflation. Something on the contrary also happened that week. On April 4, the student community must have felt relieved when the University of Karachi (KU) decided to reduce its tuition fee from the ongoing academic session. According to the decision taken by the university syndicate on April 2, the monthly fee for BA (Hons) first, second and third year classes would be Rs20 per month instead of Rs25 charged earlier. For BSc (Hons) first, second and third year the amount was Rs30 in place of Rs35. As for MA and MSc previous classes, the fee was reduced to Rs50 from Rs60. Ah, the good old inexpensive days of education!

And on April 5, in a further act of betterment for those who are associated with the field of knowledge, the Sindh cabinet decided to give officers and other staff of the education department rights equal with the other government officials regarding the allotment of residential accommodation in the district. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2024