Karachi: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday (June 20) ordered the city administration of Karachi to ‘immediately demolish’ the under-construction gate at the city’s historic Frere Hall entrance and other newly-developed concrete structures within the premises, news sources reported.
The court observed that nothing could be built near or around the historic site as per the law. Reportedly, the ruling came in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) submitted by Marvi Mazhar, a social activist, through her lawyer. The petitioner claimed that historic sites are legally protected against any changes in their dimensions.
According to the petitioner, Frere Hall is one of the city’s oldest structures and should be protected against any development on its grounds. In response to the petition, the court ordered that the structure be demolished immediately. It is worth noting that Karachi is one of Pakistan’s oldest cities, and it has the most extensive collection of British-era buildings.
The provincial administration has designated several structures as a national heritage to safeguard and preserve them. Last year, the local government initiated an anti-encroachment campaign to clear encroached property near Frere Hall.
Nauman Ahmad is an imaginative Pisces whose love for literature and nature is unparalleled. When he's not reading or hiking, he's sleeping and eating, which gives him plenty of energy for his next adventure.
