HYDERABAD, Feb 19: District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil has directed the officials concerned of the district government to carry out repairs and renovation of historic buildings of the city while ensuring that their originality is preserved.

He issued the directives at a meeting held at his secretariat here on Thursday to discuss ways to preserve and protect the historic buildings.

Secretary, antiquities department, Sindh, Dr Kalimullah Lashari, DCO Aftab Ahmed Khatri, district works committee chairman Munawwar Khanzai, building control director Nadeem Rizwan and others attended the meeting.

The historic buildings were not only their national heritage but also the identity of Hyderabad and they must be preserved in their original shape irrespective of cost, Mr Jamil said.

He pointed out that walls of the historic Pakka Qila were in dilapidated condition, badly affecting the beauty of Hyderabad. He said that in consultation with experts, the walls should be raised to their original shape and “a beautiful main gate should be constructed” (at the entrance of the fort).

He informed the meeting that the repair and renovation work of Novel Rai Market, Holm Stead hall and other historic buildings was proceeding at a hectic pace. He, however, urged the federal and provincial governments to extend help in this regard.

Speaking on the occasion, the antiquities secretary said that the historic buildings of Hyderabad would be repaired, renovated and protected under the Sindh Culture Heritage Project.

He appointed a four-member committee to prepare a detailed report about the historic buildings of Hyderabad.