KARACHI: A library and institute for Balochi language and literature in Malir has been declared a cultural heritage and given protected status.

Sayad Hashmi Reference Library was under threat of demolition to pave the way for the construction of an interchange for Malir Expressway. However, civil society and political parties had staged demonstrations to save the library.

The decision to declare the library culture heritage was taken in a meeting of the advisory committee of the Sindh culture department. Cheif Secretary Asif Hyder Shah presided over the meeting which was also attended by Hameed Haroon, Kalimullah Lashari and representatives of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA).

The meeting reviewed status of buildings and places given protected status and observed that the SBCA should consult the culture department before declaring any building endangered.

The committee also approved protected heritage status for many other buildings across the province.

According to a statement, Kutte ji Qabar, or the dog’s grave, the second highest peak of the Khirthar Mountains in Qambar Shahdadkot; the ancient Mukhtiarkar office in Naushahro Feroze; the old Civil Court in Rohri; the 1908 Inspection Bungalow in Kandhkot; Cantonment Quarters and Karachi’s Parsi Institute compound, which includes Jahangir Kothari Hall and Katrak Swimming Bath have been approved for grant of protected culture heritage status.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2024