Latest news with #SindhCulturalHeritage(Preservation)Act
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Power lines threaten Mukhi House
A month after a formal request was made, no action has yet been taken to remove hazardous electrical wires hanging from the historic Mukhi House Museum in Hyderabad. The museum's curator and administrator, Naeem Ahmed Khan, submitted a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) on April 21, 2025, requesting the relocation of electric wires entangled with the museum's structure. The letter highlighted the architectural and cultural significance of Mukhi House, which was declared protected heritage under the Sindh Cultural Heritage (Preservation) Act, 1994, in 2018. Mukhi House was later converted into a museum and opened to the public in 2021. Located in a densely populated residential area, it now faces a serious preservation challenge: electricity to nearby homes is supplied via cables that run across and hang from the museum's outer walls, some even strung across windows and fastened to its original iron grills. The letter warned that these power lines not only compromise the visual integrity of the site but also pose a serious threat to the building's structure - particularly its wooden doors and windows - in the event of an electrical malfunction. Copies of the letter were also sent to the Deputy Commissioner of Hyderabad, the Deputy Director (Heritage/Admin), and the PS to the Director General of the Sindh Culture, Tourism, Antiquities, and Archives Department. Yet, despite the passage of a full month, officials have taken no action. Restoration work is currently underway at Mukhi House after years of delay. Museum staff caution that if the hanging wires are not removed soon, a large portion of the museum's outer wall may remain unrestored and unpainted, defeating the purpose of ongoing renovation efforts. Window to past Also known as Mukhi Mahal, the building was constructed in 1920 by Mukhi Jeth Anand, a prominent member of Hyderabad's Sindhi Hindu community. The architecture of the mansion combines Renaissance, Art Deco, and Art Nouveau styles, featuring stained glass windows, intricately carved wooden details by Indian artisans, and marble accents. The house comprises 12 rooms, two grand halls, and a spacious central courtyard along with a smaller rear courtyard. In a notable moment of pre-Partition history, India's future Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru stayed at Mukhi House with his family - a visit now commemorated with a rare photograph on display at the museum. After Partition, the Mukhi family remained in Hyderabad until 1957 before migrating to India. The building was subsequently occupied by various government departments, including the Settlement Office and a girls' school. It also suffered damage during periods of political unrest in the city. It was not until the tenure of former District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil that a decision was made to preserve the site. In 2008, the Mukhi family relinquished formal ownership under the condition that it would be preserved and opened as a public museum. Restoration began in 2009 under the Sindh Government's Department of Archaeology, and by 2013 the museum opened its doors to the public. Mukhi House today hosts a collection of personal memorabilia, historical photographs, and cultural artifacts donated by the Mukhi family - an effort to preserve not only their legacy but the broader cultural history of Hyderabad. The building, located near Chaari at Homestead Hall, remains a popular attraction for both local and visiting tourists. However, the entangled power cables, particularly at the rear of the building, continue to mar the structure's historic charm and pose an ongoing threat to its preservation. Unless immediate steps are taken to address the issue, a vital piece of Sindh's heritage may face further degradation.
Express Tribune
08-05-2025
- Express Tribune
FIR registered against SBCA officials, heritage site owner
The Boat Basin police have registered an FIR against two officers of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and the owner of a heritage building for their alleged involvement in the unauthorised demolition of the historic Kharas House, located in Bath Island Road, Clifton. SBCA Director Ashfaq Hussain Khokhar, Deputy Director Agha Kashif, and the property owner, Dhumai Cowasjee Kanja, have been nominated as accused in the FIR registered on the complaint of Muhammad Jawad Rabbani, a field officer from the Sindh Culture and Tourism Department, acting on behalf of his department following directions from the provincial chief secretary. According to the FIR, the SBCA officers allegedly approved the demolition of the heritage building without obtaining the necessary clearance from the Advisory Committee, as required under the Sindh Cultural Heritage (Preservation) Act, 1994. The chief secretary also issued a show-cause notice to SBCA Director General Muhammad Ishaq Khuhro over the incident. Official correspondence from the Sindh Local Govt Dept indicates that Khuhro left for the US on April 24, however, he has yet to resume his duties.
Business Recorder
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Heritage structure: Sindh govt takes action against demolition
KARACHI: The Government of Sindh has taken decisive action following the unlawful demolition of the heritage structure known as 'Kharas House,' located at Plot No. FT- 4/14, Bath Island Road, Clifton Road, Frere Town Quarters, Karachi. As per details this heritage property, was officially declared protected on March 8, 2018, by the Culture Department of Sindh, had been recognized for its historical and architectural value and was therefore safeguarded under the Sindh Cultural Heritage (Preservation) Act. Following an inquiry ordered by Chief Secretary Sindh, Asif Hyder Shah, the Commissioner Karachi, submitted a comprehensive inquiry report which has brought to light severe irregularities, deliberate violations, and a nexus between government officials and the private owner aimed at the unlawful demolition of the heritage building. The inquiry revealed that the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), in a blatant disregard of the law, issued a demolition permit without consulting the Heritage Department, thereby violating mandatory legal procedures. The investigation revealed that SBCA's Technical Committee on Dangerous Buildings initiated the process on January 4, 2024, without the required participation of professional bodies such as PCATP and ABAD. Despite noting that the structure 'seemed to be heritage' and required verification, the SBCA granted demolition permission to the owner, Ms. Dhummai Cowasjee Kanja, on October 18, 2024, without consulting the Culture Department. SBCA later attempted to justify the demolition using a court order from an unrelated case (Suit No. 666 of 2024), a claim the inquiry deemed entirely baseless. The inquiry also noted that key steps were taken post-facto to cover up the illegal act, including a backdated request to the owner for heritage clarification and a sealing order issued in April 2025. Notably, the demolition began during the Eid holidays when government offices were closed, indicating a calculated attempt to evade oversight. It was the Deputy Commissioner South, not SBCA or the Culture Department, who first noticed and attempted to halt the demolition. Meanwhile, SBCA attempted to cover its tracks by cancelling permissions and sending notices only after the demolition had commenced. TCS records confirmed that these notices were issued late, with no timely warning to the Assistant Commissioner, which prevented effective intervention. The report portrays a clear case of misconduct and manipulation, with recommendations for criminal proceedings against responsible SBCA officials and the property owner. In light of these findings and recommendations the Chief Secretary has ordered that criminal cases (FIRs) be immediately registered against Ashfaq Hussain (Director South, SBCA), Agha Kashif (Deputy Director South, SBCA), and Dhummai Cowasjee Kanja (the owner of the property). It has also recommended that the matter be referred to the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) for further investigation, and that the named officials be suspended with immediate effect to ensure transparency and impartiality in the inquiry. The entire matter was also brought to the knowledge of the Chief Minister Sindh, who reviewed the findings of the inquiry and fully endorsed the actions taken against the responsible officers. The Chief Minister expressed grave concern over the unlawful demolition of a protected heritage site and emphasized the need for strict accountability and reiterated the government's firm stance on the protection of Sindh's cultural heritage. Chief Secretary Sindh, Asif Hyder Shah, has also instructed the Culture Department to immediately begin a citywide survey and mapping of all declared heritage buildings in Karachi. The Chief Secretary also directed that disciplinary proceedings be initiated against the Deputy Director (Heritage), Culture, Tourism, Antiquities & Archives Department, under the applicable Efficiency and Discipline (E&D) Rules, for failure to discharge duties and prevent the illegal demolition. The Chief Secretary emphasized that any individual found involved in endangering or destroying the cultural heritage of Sindh would face severe legal and administrative consequences. It is important to mention that on April 23, 2025, shortly after the demolition came to light, the Chief Secretary had expressed serious concern over the matter and directed the Commissioner Karachi to conduct an inquiry and submit a detailed report. The government is committed to preserving the cultural and architectural legacy of Sindh and will ensure that justice is served in the Kharas House case. This incident serves as a stern warning to all individuals and officials who may attempt similar violations in the future. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
