- A gate was being constructed at entrance of Frere Hall gardens
- Civic society staged a protest on Sunday
- SHC said the gate was violation of heritage laws
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered to immediately demolish a gate installed at the boundary of the historic Frere Hall gardens.
The court issued directives while hearing a petition related to new constructions at Karachi’s historic Frere Hall and other heritage sites.
Architect Marvi Mazhar had filed the petition urging the demolition of gates being built at Frere Hall in violation of heritage laws.
At the outset of the hearing, the court ordered the immediate demolition of newly-installed entrance gate at Frere Hall garden a
It also issued a notice to Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab from further interfering in matters of heritage sites.
The court also sought an explanation from him over new constructions at heritage buildings. It directed concerned authorities to submit a report in next hearing.
Frere Hall is one of the most Democratic, Interactive, and Well-Utilized Public Spaces for all classes in Karachi. Today, neo liberal decisions of fencing, gating, arching is as an act of obstruction / protecting Public Spaces needs debate with the Public. https://t.co/9dSKWhblvE
— Marvi Mazhar (@marvimazhar) June 18, 2022
Open call to design debate even if it’s “just an arch”. Let’s have an open dialogue on the design decision. Any mega city – State makes urban decisions by involving citizens. Let’s bring this practice to our part of the world. Let’s think of interventions bottom up. #karachi
— Marvi Mazhar (@marvimazhar) June 18, 2022
On Sunday, the civil society on Sunday had protested over the construction of a gate and fence at Frere Hall Gardens.
Architect and urban planner Marvi Mazhar said “Frere Hall is one of the most Democratic, Interactive, and Well-Utilized Public Spaces for all classes in Karachi.
She said, “neo-liberal decisions of fencing, gating, arching is as an act of obstruction/protecting Public Spaces needs debate with the public.”
She called for having an open dialogue on the design decision. “Any mega-city – State makes urban decisions by involving citizens. Let’s bring this practice to our part of the world. Let’s think of interventions bottom up,” she added.
Hon’ SHC in Suit we filed on behalf of Architect @marvimazhar has ordered immediate demolishment of gates being built at #FrereHall in violation of Heritage laws, Show Cause notice issued to City Administrator for his actions with suspension from interfering in heritage sites. pic.twitter.com/QIsx2Az3De
— M. Jibran Nasir 🇵🇸 (@MJibranNasir) June 20, 2022
The historic Frere Hall dates from the early British colonial era in Sindh. Completed in 1865, Frere Hall was originally intended to serve as Karachi’s town hall and now serves as an exhibition space and library.
Frere Hall is located in Saddar Town located between Abdullah Haroon Road (formerly Victoria Road) and Fatima Jinnah Road (formerly Bonus Road).
The open parks are frequented by citizens for recreation, discussion groups and students. Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab said that no wall or gate is being erected around the park but an arch is being constructed outside Frere Hall.
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