KARACHI: Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Sunday has said that the renovation of Khaliqdina Hall is a continuation of efforts to restore Karachi’s historical buildings to their original condition.

He said this while inaugurating the renovated Khaliqdina Hall located on M.A. Jinnah Road.

He said Karachi has a glorious past, which must be introduced to the younger generation.

Referring to Frere Hall (built in 1865), the Karachi Metropolitan Building (constructed in 1932), and the Eduljee Dinshaw Dispensary (established in 1882), he said: “We aim to preserve this historical heritage to inform future generations about how their forefathers envisioned this city.”

He urged the youth to take pride in their city’s historical heritage and protect it.

The mayor said that students should visit this hall to learn how the British held a court here to conduct sedition trials against Khilafat Movement leaders Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar, Shaukat Ali and their associates, who were subsequently imprisoned for over two years.

He announced that within the next two months, the renovation of another historic building, Denso Hall, would also be completed and opened to the public.

He noted that these historical buildings were being made accessible to the public.

“The library at Frere Hall has been reactivated, CSS students are being taught there and book launches are being organised,” he said.

The mayor highlighted that without commercial activities, such spaces cannot be preserved.

“Worldwide, such historical sites host commercial activities to generate funds for their maintenance and preservation.”

He further shared that in the first week of January, the Karachi Medal awards will be presented in this historic hall to individuals who have served the city, as a gesture to recognise their contributions.

Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, Durrya Qazi, Saima Zaidi and other officials were also present.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2024