www.punjabics.com

Home

NAPA issued notice to vacate Hindu Gymkhana, Sindh PA told

KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Culture and Tourism Sassui Palejo informed the Sindh Assembly on Thursday that a notice has been issued to National Academy of Performing Art’s (NAPA) management, asking them to vacate the premises, rented out by the culture department in 2005.

Replying to a question by Arif Mustafa Jatoi during the question hour, the minister explained that the Hindu Gymkhana, situated opposite the Arts Council, on M R Kiyani Road is a protected building, declared so by the Sindh Cultural Heritage Preservation Act 1994.

It was built during 1925 to1927, sponsored by philanthropist Seth Ram Gopaldas Goverthandas Mohatta, for cultural activities and social gatherings of the Hindu Community.

She said that the Hindu Gymkhana building was declared as an Evacuee Property and was allotted to the Federal Public Service Commission in 1961, where it housed its offices until 1978. These offices were shifted from Karachi to Islamabad and the possession of the building remained with Pak PWD.

In August 1990, the Ministry of Education based on the prime minister’s orders, transferred the building to Sindh Department of Culture, so that a Sindh arts and craft centre could be set up here. The building was accordingly transferred and the possession was given to the department with effect from December 19, 1993.

Palejo said that a scheme for establishing the College of Arts and Design, costing Rs 19.20 million, was approved and included in the Karachi package but could not be implemented.

Later, in September 2005, according to directives of the then president of Pakistan, Hindu Gymkhana was rented out to Zia Mohiuddin for a period of thirty years for establishment of the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA). An agreement was signed by Mohiuddin, on behalf of NAPA and the secretary culture, on behalf of the Sindh government on September 23, 2005 whereby NAPA agreed to pay Rs 50,000 per month.

She said that in 2006, NAPA started construction of a theatre/auditorium within the premises of Hindu Gymkhana. Since the building protected under the Cultural Heritage Act 1994, NAPA was required to obtain a NOC from the Advisory Committee for Cultural Heritage. However, it got the NOC from KBCA for the addition alterations to the building.

NAPA in violation of KBCA’s permission and the terms and conditions of agreement started a new construction.

Of late, Palejo said, that the civil society, the members of Hindu Community and culture-friendly people have been criticising on the way the building is being used. They are of the view that Hindu Gymkhana should either be restored to its original position, that is for holding social and cultural events of the Hindu community or that it should be given back to the Department of Culture and Tourism, so that an Arts and Crafts centre and a museum can be established there.

She said that NAPA, by constructing a Theatre/auditorium within the premises of Hindu Gymkhana, has violated the agreement, dated September 23, 2005, made with the culture department and has also violated the provisions of Sindh Culture Heritage (Preservation) Act, 1994.

She said that on the advice of the law department and in pursuance of clause-8 of the agreement executed between department and NAPA, on September 13, 2008, a three months notice was given to NAPA regarding the termination of the agreement, dated September 23, 2005.

She said the management of NAPA has filed a suit no 1646/08 at the Sindh High Court and obtained an order restraining the culture department from acting on notice issued on September 13, 2008. Last date of hearing was on March 6, 2009 when the case was adjourned to date in office. app