KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has directed the Secretary of Culture to submit a report regarding protective measures for the Syed Hashmi Library in Malir and changes to the Malir Expressway project.
The applicant’s lawyer emphasized the importance of preserving the decades-old Syed Hashmi Reference Library, which houses approximately 25,000 books. He argued that libraries are crucial to the social infrastructure of any city and called for transparency in the planning and routing of the expressway, ensuring it serves the community. The new interchange design threatens to complicate access for students and researchers, undermining the library’s role as a cultural hub that frequently hosts literary events. The lawyer urged that measures be taken to prevent the demolition of the library and to maintain accessibility for local residents.
The court noted the absence of a report from the relevant department and pointed out that the library is considered an obstacle to the Malir Expressway project. Consequently, the court mandated the Secretary of Culture to provide a report on how the library can be protected.
In a separate ruling, the Sindh High Court dismissed a petition against the construction of a house on land allegedly designated for a park in Landhi. The applicant’s lawyer contended that such constructions violate regulations for welfare plots. However, the court rejected the petition, stating that according to the Karachi Development Authority (KDA), the land in question is not designated for park use, questioning the feasibility of establishing a park on a 220-square-yard plot.
