A mission of diplomats visited the Archives Department of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC). The delegation included Netherlands Ambassador Gajus Scheltema, German Consul General Dr Tilo Klineer, Czechoslovakia Honorary Consul General Ahmed Ansari and Netherlands Honorary Consul General Tarek Khan. CEO of Heritage Foundation Yasmeen Lari and Project Coordinator Fauzia Aqeel were also present on the occasion. Karachi Administrator Mohammad Hussain Syed told them that the plan to preserve the city’s historical documents and maps is being prepared so that they can be used as reference material and asset for the future generations.
“Various chemicals and techniques are being used in the process to save these precious documents from any further deterioration,” he added.
Earlier, Syed presented bouquets, ajrak and KMC insignia to the visitors. He acknowledged the endeavours of the former deputy city nazim Nasreen Jalil for initiating efforts for the safeguard of historical documents stored in the KMC building. He also apprised the help Heritage Foundation rendered for the matter. Scheltema appreciated the joint efforts of the KMC and Heritage Foundation. Speaking on the occasion, Yasmeen Lari said that so far 2,300 maps had been cleaned and 9,000 pages had been scanned by the Archives Department staff.
“Digitisation of 250 historical books, 20 maps, 180 post cards, 6,800 pages and biographies of 68 famous personalities has also been completed,” she added.
