KARACHI, Sept 4: The Sindh government is acquiring the State Bank building adjacent to the New Sindh Secretariat to shift its offices from some of the old barracks where a new office complex is being planned.

The SBP was earlier reluctant to dispose of its property, but has now agreed to hand it over to the provincial government against a sum of Rs20 million, it is reliably learnt.

A summary has already been moved to the finance department seeking necessary amount for initiating the process.

These barracks, located in the vicinity of Sindh High Court Building and Pakistan Secretariat, were built in 1947-48 whose structure was good enough for 15 to 20 years, but now barracks have lived over 56 years.

In view of the dilapidated condition of the barracks and increasing pressure for office accommodation, the government has decided to build a modern office complex on the site of existing old barracks to accommodate its various departments.

A survey was also conducted by a representative of the World Bank and on the basis of his report, the entire infra-structure in the area needed replacement before initiating the project.

After receiving the feasibility report of the technical committee, the government has earmarked Rs700 million in the ADP for upgrading the existing buildings and the construction of new office complex, out of provincial ADP over the project period of three to four years.

Before inviting competitive designs from individual architects for the new complex which should be aesthetically sound and according to modern architectural techniques compatible to international standards, the government has decided to hire services of Pakistan Engineering Council and the Institute of Architects Pakistan to conduct competition and ensure that the building complex must conform to technology, cater to IT connectivity and have an in-built security arrangement, including cameras.

The suggestion for new office complex was floated in year 2001 and a presentation was also made to the then cabinet on various aspects of the project that included existing office space usage, proposed covered area of the new complex, the need for urban renewal in the area surrounding the Sindh Secretariat. It was emphasised on the occasion that a detailed physical survey of the area be undertaken which should take into account issues ranging from detailed measurement of roads and buildings to determine the layout of public services.