KARACHI: Against the backdrop of the majestic Karachi Port Trust (KPT) building and the old Customs House, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan on Tuesday evening performed the groundbreaking of the Eduljee Dinshaw Road project. The project aims to restore the grandeur of the KPT and Imperial Customs House buildings and give a facelift to the area spanning half a kilometre.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ibad said the project was a result of the public-private partnership that intended to restore and beautify public places. It would not only do up the two masterpieces (buildings) but also enable the residents of the area to spend quality time. Karachi had a rich history supported by its artisans, architects, musicians and artists and the project would help regain some of the lost glory of the city. There were other important buildings also which needed to be revisited, he said.

Dr Ibad lauded efforts of the KMC, customs department and the KPT for helping in that regard and touched upon a similar venture, the restoration of the Empress Market and its surrounding area which would be completed ‘within time’. He also acknowledged the role played by the federal and provincial governments.

Dr Ibad said the restoration of a temple (located in the corner of Dinshaw Road) was part of the Eduljee Dinshaw Road project. He said Karachi used to be a peaceful pluralistic city and efforts were required to replicate that spirit. He said the next phase of the scheme would include cleaning of the area and programmes related to art and craft which would generate many positive things, including employment.

“The project is a stepping stone to Karachi’s cultural revival,” he remarked after which he unveiled a plaque and performed the groundbreaking.

Earlier, Tariq Huda, collector of customs and the person who initiated the idea, welcomed the guests. He informed them about the genesis of the project and how he persuaded architect Shahid Abdulla and designer Danish Zuby to join him.

He highlighted the economic and cultural importance of Karachi in the national context and lamented that it had fallen prey to a cycle of violence and apathy. He argued that we could either let it implode under its own weight or help regain its identity through self-belief. He said it was a humble effort on the part of his team in that direction and added that during the planning he realised that things could be changed as ‘goodness begets goodness’.

Architect Shahid Abdulla began his short speech with Chinese saying ‘The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step’. He said things happened in Karachi because of Karachiites. Time had come for all of us to wake up, fix the city and work towards a peaceful Karachi. He called Danish Zuby on stage and said Zuby did all the hard work while he [Abdullah] received the plaudits. Commissioner of Karachi Shoaib Siddiqui said the project was a journey for peace in Karachi.

It is sad that throughout the event no one mentioned the name, leave alone charitable work, of one of the city’s benefactors, Eduljee Dinshaw, after whom the road is named.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2014