KARACHI, Sept 17: Governor Sindh Mohammedmian Soomro visited Quaid-i-Azam House Museum (former Flag Staff House) on Tuesday, to take stock of the progress of the ongoing rehabilitation and renovation work of Quaid‘s residence.

Director General, Federal Department of Archaeology and Museums, Saeed-ur-Rehman, briefed the governor about the renovation of the residence of the father of nation.

The governor, accompanied by Provincial Secretary Culture and Tourism Ashique Memon, inspected different parts of the house and gave special instructions to the authorities concerned regarding renovation. He laid stress on appropriate care of Wazir Mansion, the birthplace of Quaid-i-Azam. On this occasion, it was informed that Rs6 million have been allocated this year for the renovation of Wazir Mansion.

The governor showed special interest in the personal belongings of Quaid. He took out a Quranic script from Quaid’s cupboard and studied it for a few moments. A picture of the Quaid’s wife, Rutti Jinnah, was also present in the cupboard along with many other things.

The chairs and table in Fatima Jinnah’s room were still in the same position as they were during her lifetime. The director told the governor that Ms Fatimah Jinnah had started her election campaign from this very room. She then shifted to her residence, Mohatta Palace, Clifton, in 1964.

Apprising the governor about the history of Flag Staff House, the DG said that the two-storey building situated at the junction of Sharea Faisal and Fatima Jinnah Road was purchased by Quaid-i-Azam on August 14, 1943 for Rs115,000. The personal belongings of Quaid-i-Azam were shifted here from Delhi just one month after independence in September 1947. The Quaid never got a chance to live here. However, Ms Jinnah shifted here from the Governor’s House (former Governor General House) on September 13, 1948.

Flag Staff House was transferred to the custody of the Quaid-i-Azam Trust after the death of Quaid’s last sister, Shireen Bai, after which the Government of Pakistan acquired it for Rs 5,107,000 on February 14, 1985 from the trustees, and is now maintained by the archeological department.—PPI