Sindh Chief Secretary, Fazl-ur-Rehman on Wednesday held two consecutive meetings in which promotion of cultural activities at Jehangir Kothari Parade, Clifton and its surroundings besides proposals and suggestions for renovation and reconstruction of Wazir Mansion in its real position came under consideration.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Provincial Ombudsman, Ashfaq Memon, Secretary Culture Mehtab Akbar Rashdi, Secretary Implementation Nazar Hussain Mahar, Secretary GA&C Abdul Qadir Mangi, DG Projects and Special Institutions Dr Kaleemullah Lashari, Director Federal Archaeology Kassim Ali Kassim, Head of Visual Studies Karachi University Durriya Kazi, DCO Fazlur Rehman, Professor Archaeology NED University Dr Asma Ibrahim and other officials.
In the first meeting, effective steps for promotion of cultural activities at and around Jehangir Kothari Parade came under consideration. In this regard a presentation for holding a weekly cultural bazaar was given. The chief secretary asked the culture department and city district government to consider the proposals and prepare a strategy so that a headway is made possible for a formal decision in this regard in a meeting with City Nazim and other concerned officials.
On the occasion, the meeting was informed about a show held in Melbourne, Australia, for decoration work of Karachi's local W-11 route coach. For this purpose special arrangements were made on the pattern of Commonwealth Games 2006 at Melbourne.
W-11 was tastefully decorated on the occasion. Some 80,000 people travelled in the coach and appreciated its decoration. The picturisation of this scene will be put on display at Allahwali Bus Stop, New Karachi, Karachi in September 2006 at which the Australian Culture Minister will also be invited. It was decided that Sindh government will extend full co-operation in this regard to help CDGK in making arrangements.
As regards the renovation of Wazir Mansion, the director federal archaeology informed that PC-I has been prepared to renovate and reconstruct the building in its original form and submitted for approval. The building will be brought in its original form as was published in Dawn newspaper in October 1946. According to the architect, after its reconstruction, the structure of Wazir Mansion will be fully protected for the next 100 years. It was decided that DG projects will visit Wazir Mansion and submit his report for further action.