Historical structures in Karachi: SC seeks report from Sindh government

The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday sought a detailed report from Sindh Government on the protection of historical structures in the metropolis after showing displeasure over what it observed apathy of concerned authorities towards maintaining the historical sites. A two-member bench of SC headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed took up hearing on the case pertaining to protection of historical sites declared as national heritage in Karachi.
Apex court's bench took exception to Sindh Government for not taking appropriate measures to protect the structures of historical nature in the provincial capital and directed Sindh Government to tell the court about exact number of historical buildings, which have been declared as national heritage.
Justice Gulzar Ahmed pointed out that half structure of Hotel Metropole has been lying flattened for a long time, giving an ugly look to the area. "Why don't the provincial government buy the land of Metropole hotel to construct a beautiful park on its site", Justice Gulzar asked counsel of Sindh Government.
Apex court also inquired about the beautification of the city and asked why the provincial government is not taking steps for making city attractive. Justice Gulzar observed that there is a need for taking major steps to develop and beautify the city.
Court granted time to public prosecutor to appraise the court about the protection of natural heritage sites in the city and sought the detailed report from Sindh Government in this regard. Court ordered the provincial government to submit the details and number of historical sites which have been declared national heritage and the measures it has been taking to protect these sites.
Meanwhile, a two-member bench of Supreme Court comprised of Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah put off the hearing on unannounced load-shedding in the city due to engagements of counsel of K-Electric (KE) in Islamabad, who didn't turn up when the bench resumed the hearing on the case.
A larger bench of SC headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan had directed KE to furnish undertaking in the court that it is restoring to unannounced load-shedding in metropolis in one week time when bench heard the case at Karachi Registry last week. Court had also sought the details about the capacity of utility to produce the power as well as the deadline about the end of load-shedding in the city.