KARACHI, Jan 16: The mayor of Kolkata, Bhattacharya Bikash Ranjan, has said Karachi’s former metropolitan corporation (KMC) and present Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) seems to be closer to each other due to similarities in their nomenclature.

He appreciated the awareness campaign launched by Karachi Naib Nazim Nasrin Jalil regarding city’s historic buildings and their preservation.

Mr Ranjan was speaking at a ceremony held at the KMC Building in connection with the building’s platinum jubilee which was largely attended by local and foreign guests including Kolkata mayor’s wife Ibha Bhattacharya, former Indian Secretary K.C. Sivarama Krishnan, Director Delhi Institute of Sciences Dr George Mathew, representative of KMC building Karachi contractor Hingorani Deepesh Salgia, consul-generals of Turkey, Afghanistan, Switzerland, Poland, Iran, France, Monaco and Britain's deputy high commissioner.

Other dignitaries included MNA Dr Farooq Sattar, Senator Nisar Memon, LG Minister Mohammed Hussain, Sports Minister Qamar Mansoor, Women Development Minister Dr Saeeda Malik, Finance Adviser M.A. Jalil, former speaker NA Illahi Bux Soomro, town nazims, members of City Council and cross section of people.

Mr Ranjan said that he found Karachi very attractive and such events could prove helpful in bringing people and governments of Pakistan and India closer to each other.

Welcoming the Kolkota mayor, City Naib Nazim Nasrin Jalil said that historic buildings of Karachi were symbols of glory of this city and their protection too was our responsibility.

She said that the very objective of celebrating the platinum jubilee of KMC Building was to create a spirit of protecting the historical heritage of this city.

Later, the guests visited archive department set up in the KMC building where important and historical documents of Karachi have been put on display after their preservation.—APP