Karachi Development Authority (KDA) has decided to restore the building of Khurshid Begum Memorial Hall to its original condition.
Plot No. ST-3/B located in Federal B Area, Azizabad Block No. 8 was allotted for Hospital/Medical Center as per layout plan of KDA.
Khurshid Begum Memorial Hall was named after the mother of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain. He died in 1985 in Karachi.
Khursheed Begum Memorial Hall was once one of the most important places in MQM politics before August 22, 2016.
MQM founder frequently used to deliver his speeches there through video or telephonic link.
Back in the day, it was one of the centers of MQM political activities in the city. Party meetings and press conferences to announce the party’s policies and statements used to be held at Khursheed Begum Memorial Hall.
The building is located just a street away from the residence of MQM founder – Nine Zero.
On 9 September, a fire broke out at Nine Zero around 2am which was later extinguished by the two fire tenders of Pakistan Rangers. It took them almost an hour to put out the fire.
After the incident, the building was declared “dangerous” and referred to the Sindh Building Control Authority’s technical committee for inspection.
The site has not yet been inspected by the SBCA Technical Committee. After inspection, it will be decided whether the building is fit for habitation or not.
KDA Additional Director for State and Enforcement Jameel Ahmed Baloch, who is also KDA’s focal person on judicial matters, said the decision was taken in a meeting on Saturday.
A high-level meeting of KDA officials, district administration and law enforcement officers decided to restore Plot # ST-3/B to its original condition as per Supreme Court’s 2010 judgment. will go
“The plot was earmarked for a hospital/medical institution as per the layout plan,” Baloch added.
It was decided in the meeting that a state-of-the-art medical facility will be built for the people of the area through public-private partnership.
After the verdict, two ambulances of the Edhi Welfare Service were parked outside the rusted gate of Khurshid Begum Memorial Hall.
“Ambulances have already been parked outside the gate to give the impression that the building is being converted for medical purposes,” Baloch added.
A KDA officer said that several projects including the establishment of a kidney and dialysis center on this plot are under discussion.
KDA will sign an agreement with private entities under PPP mode after evaluating the proposals.
The building has three floors and consists of 57 rooms.
Nine Zero, Khursheed Begum Memorial Hall, MPA’s Hostel, and other party offices in Azizabad were sealed by the LEA after the August 22, 2016 incident.
