Newsblog

Rains in Makli areas particularly related to DICE villages

Due to unprecedented rainfall in August, when the entire province had been inundated, most of the Makli villages are still under floodwater. This has resulted in a great deal of damage within villages and caused a stoppage of work due to inundation and blockage of roads. The main cause of the flooding has been the water coming down from Makli Necropolis hill as well as the over-flowing of the nearby canal. All the villages in the vicinity have been submerged or washed away; however,  the structures built by HF in DICE and other HF villages have withstood the standing floodwater in the area for several weeks. Since the structures were safe, the villages were able to save their belongings. Being unable to continue working under such circumstances, those belonging to DICE villages have been encouraged to work at ZC3 for their livelihood.

Heritage Pictorial Survey workshop at Denso Hall, Karachi

HF organized a Heritage Pictorial Survey workshop on 18 July, 2019 at Denso Hall, for officers of Evacuee Property Trust. The custodians had been deputed from Punjab and Sindh.

The workshop was designed to initiate a collaborative effort in order to develop a pictorial database for heritage buildings under the custody of ETP for the purpose of evaluating their present condition and status.

A team of students went to check out the red trail under the guidance of Ar./Plnr. Sadia Fazli and Ar. Khadija Shaban

On Sunday, June 30 2019, a team of students went to check out the red trail under the guidance of Ar./Plnr. Sadia Fazli and Ar. Khadija Shaban. The walk started from Denso Hall and ended at Kharadar chowk. 

Meeting with Commissioner Karachi regarding approval of pedestrian trails in the historic core of Karachi

On Saturday, June 22 2019, Commissioner Karachi gave approval to the creation of pedestrian trails in the historic core of Karachi. He declared that such walkable streets with plantation and trees will reduce pollution and will bring back many street activities for the amusement and recreation of the general public. Such streets, showcasing the heritage of the city, will also be a source of increased commerce and tourism.

New Central Rotary Karachi Club members visited ZC3 to celebrate Eid with the children of Makli villages

On Sunday 9^th June, New Central Rotary Karachi Club members visited ZC3 loaded with presents for the children of Makli villages in celebration of Eid. 

Altogether 20 visitors including Ms. Shanaz Ramzi, charter president of New Central along with some friends, accompanied by CE Yasmeen Lari were welcomed at ZC3 where over 100 children and their mothers had assembled. Later another 150 children with parents also attended. 

Dice Week

Yamseen Lari, CEO, Heritage Foundation of Pakistan attended the DICE week held by the British Council in London from 20-22 May. The collaborating partners are Heritage Foundation of Pakistan and Dr. Azra and Dr. Peter Meadows of Glasgow University. 

Building Handpumps in Mandicant Villages in Makli and Chulah villages

A new program for building water hand pumps in mendicant villages in Makli and Chulah villages in Mirpur Khas was launched in March 2019 in partnership with Spiritual Chords and Al-Imdad Foundation. The generous sponsorship has been received as Sadqa Jariya for marginalized communities.

Award winning photographer from Britain Ms. Maryam Wahid visited Makli

On 16thMay, Award winning photographer from Britain Ms. Maryam Wahid visited Makli and met with the mendicant communities living in the shadow of World Heritage Makli. Maryam was particularly interested in talking to women and taking their photographs for an exhibition she is dedicating to women of Pakistan.

The trophy for World Habitat Award 2018 awarded to Pakistan

The trophy for World Habitat Award 2018 awarded to Pakistan Chulah was handed over by Mr.Victor Kisob, the Deputy Executive Director of UN Habitat to HE Mr. Syed Maroof, the Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan, who received it on behalf of Heritage Foundation.

The ceremony was part of UN Habitat World Convention held on 27^thMay 2019 at Nairobi. The trophy will be brought to Pakistan by Mr. David Ireland, Executive Director, World Habitat, and presented at the international conference on Green Sustainable Architecture. The conference is being organized by INTBAU Pakistan in collaboration with INTBAU and World Habitat at Makli at Zero Carbon Cultural Centre (ZC3), in the vicinity of Makli World Heritage. 

Heritage Façade Cleaning and KaravanKarachi StreetFests

5^th May 2019 was the fourth Sunday when the activity was concluded before the advent of Ramazan.

During the four Sundays beginning from 5^th April 2019, almost 100 volunteers, celebrities and dignitaries participated in cleaning the historic Denso Hall. For the occasion a permanent stage was built at the Napier Road corner and long banners streamed along heritage facades.

Beginning with removal of dust that had accumulated over several decades, along with graffiti and several layers of paint were scrubbed with organic reetha (soapnut) soap. The cleaning by artisans also continued and 6 facades out of 14 facades sponsored by Dawood Foundation have been cleaned. The removal of dust, dirt cement repairs and coats of paint has revealed the date of one of the buildings along with finely carved Ionic capitals and an elegant pediment.