News Analysis |
The Sindh Governor House was opened for families on Friday and made accessible the office of the father of the nation, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and some of its other sections. As per details, for the first time in the history of the province, the citizens have been given access to the Governor House. Guided tour for students and families helped Kararchiites explore the different sections of Governor House, including the office of the founder of Pakistan.
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Citizens were allowed to enter the Governor House from Gate No. 1 after they deposited their national identity cards at the entrance. Several citizens went inside and met Sindh Governor Imran Ismail who welcomed the visitors himself. He also planted a sapling in the park and clicked selfies with the visitors. Talking to the media afterward, Governor Imran Ismail said that he would himself be present in the Governor House once in a week. “A complaint cell has also been established at Gate No. 4,” he added. “Imran Khan will soon visit Karachi. All the political parties should work together for the development of the city. The undergoing projects in Karachi will be completed shortly,” he informed the media.
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The Governor House Park will be open for public from 6 am to 10 am and 4 pm to 6:30 pm every day. The main building of the residence comprises offices of governor, advisers, principal secretary, military secretary, ADC, comptroller, and private secretary. Other offices and dispensary are also located in the governor house premises in separate office blocks.
Built-in 1939 by Sir Charles Napier, the historical building has been the residence of several prominent figures, including the Commissioners and pre-independence British governors of Sindh It was the seat of power for the Governors-General of Pakistan and then after the abolition of the post, the President of Pakistan. It became the residence of the Governors of present-day Sindh province after the capital was shifted to Islamabad from Karachi.
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The access of the Governor House to the general public is seen as a completion of another of the PTI’s austerity promise. While Imran Ismail had already indicated that he would not use the Governor House for his residence, there had been calls for the conversion of the building for other purposes. The main impetus of such calls has been to convert the building into the part of a university so it could be used to educate and nourish the emerging generation of Pakistan.
Once the symbol of the power and opulence of the ruling elite and were deemed inaccessible to the common man, the opening of Governor House for the public has been hailed by many. Many assert that such actions will help lessen the divide between rulers and citizens.