RAHIM YAR KHAN: The Jinnah Hall which was burnt by protesters after the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007 has yet to be rehabilitated.

The hall was built in 1951 for public functions. Later, the hall was used for district council sessions and different district offices. In 2004, it got a makeover by then district nazim, Syed Ahmed Mahmood.

The facility had 300 beautiful leather chairs and a wooden stage. There was also a press gallery in the hall.

The act of arson had also reduced the record of properties to ashes besides damaging the steel structure of the first floor of the hall. At the hall is a clock tower. The clock has been silent for the last eight years.

Poet Nasir Mahmood Lala says the Jinnah Hall was a hub of literary and cultural activities till 2007.

Journalist Jamil Azhar has pinned his hopes on the upcoming local councils regarding reconstruction of the hall as sessions of the district council will be held in it.

He suggested that along with the reconstruction of the hall, another multipurpose hall also be built on its first floor for literary and cultural activities. He also demanded the restoration of the clock.

A tehsil municipal administration official says the hall had lost its beauty much before the arsonists vandalised it.

He said the offices of district officers of livestock, enterprise and accounts and finance, the executive district officer of community development, National Database and Registration Authority and Arms Licence Centre on the hall premises had turned its lawns into filthy parking stands.

District Coordination Officer retired Capt Muhammad Zafar Iqbal said the rehabilitation of the hall would begin in a fortnight. He said that new district council would hold its sessions in the newly constructed Jinnah Hall.

The beautification of Shahi Road, public parks and the Town Hall would also be undertaken.

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2015