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KARACHI, Jan 03 (APP):Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab alongwith Minister of Culture and Tourism Sindh Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah here on Saturday inaugurated the historic Hassan Ali Hoti Market with renewed grandeur on the completion of its 100 years.
Addressing the ceremony, he said, “Today we are present at the historic Hassan Ali Hoti Market, which has completed a century. This is not merely a commercial center, but a symbol of Karachi’s historic identity and the urban heritage of the British era.” He said that the market, established a hundred years ago, had been neglected over time, encroachments had taken place and its original beauty had faded. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) took the initiative to preserve this historic heritage. “The renovation and restoration have been carried out in a manner that retains the market’s original character. Platforms were removed, encroachments were cleared, and modern facilities were provided so that the business community could benefit from an improved environment,” he added.
The Mayor said that the restoration of heritage sites is an important component of urban development. Reviving historic markets not only enhances Karachi’s beauty but also promotes commercial activity. “The restoration of Hassan Ali Hoti Market reflects this very vision,” he stated.
He said, Karachi is a multicultural city where people of all colors, races and religions reside, and these historic markets are symbols of this harmony. He added that Denso Hall and Frere Hall had already been restored, work on Empress Market is underway, the restoration of the KMC Building was in progress, work on Lee Market has begun, and the restoration of Machhi Miani Market would also start soon.
He further said that, God willing, Rs. 46 billion would be spent on Karachi this year. Work is ongoing on K-IV, Hub Canal, and other projects to resolve water issues. At Maripur, 54 MGD of water is being treated, while in the first phase of TP-1, 20 MGD of water will be treated, he added.
The Mayor said that new buses were being introduced in the city, and development works will be visibly evident over the next one and a half years. He added that under the leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Chief Minister of Sindh, and provincial ministers, the journey of Karachi’s development will continue.
On this occasion, Provincial Minister for Culture Zulfiqar Shah, while addressing the ceremony, said, “I thank Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab for making the restoration of a historic heritage site like the Hassan Ali Hoti Market possible. Excellent work has been carried out in collaboration with the Heritage Department.”
He said that work was also underway on Empress Market, Frere Hall, and other historic buildings, and all these projects were clear examples of the protection and preservation of Sindh’s cultural heritage. “I commend the entire team of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation,” he added.