KARACHI: An initiative has been launched to install commemorative blue plaques at the homes of distinguished personalities in District Central to celebrate their contributions and revive the district’s historical, intellectual and cultural identity.

Introduced as the ‘District Central Commemorative Plaques Initiative’, the programme is inspired by a 19th-century London initiative in which a blue plaque is mounted on a public building to mark a historical link between that location and a famous person.

The initiative aims to reclaim the district’s rich historical legacy by recognising distinguished individuals who once lived in its neighbourhoods or continue to live there. The plaques are being installed at their residences, linking their lives and achievements with the localities they are or were associated with.

The drive seeks to acknowledge individuals whose contributions to literature, education, the arts, science, sports and other fields brought recognition to Pakistan.

Central Deputy Commissioner Taha Saleem said that the concept was not new, as similar schemes had been implemented in different parts of the world for decades.

He said plaques had been installed at the residences of legendary artist Sadequain in Federal B Area Block 13, late qawwal Amjad Sabri and legendary host, actor and comedian Umer Sharif in Liaquatabad.

DC Taha Saleem says plaques have been installed at residences of Sadequain, Amjad Sabri and Umer Sharif in District Central

He said District Central was among the city’s districts from which a considerable number of residents had migrated to other parts of Karachi or moved out of the city.

He said several distinguished personalities had either relocated or passed away, but their roots remained firmly connected to District Central.

“It is our responsibility to honour these personalities and the places they called home. Through this initiative, we are not only recognising their contributions but also celebrating the identity of District Central,” he said.

He said he was notifying a committee which would identify more deserving personalities.

The deputy commissioner further said he was planning to incorporate barcodes into the plaques. Scanning these codes would take visitors to information about the respective personalities, including their lives, contributions and achievements.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2026