By Aziz Khatri
KARACHI: Mayor of Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, inaugurated the historic Hassan Ali Hoti Market on its 100th anniversary, unveiling its restored grandeur alongside Sindh’s provincial minister for culture and tourism, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah.
Addressing the ceremony, the mayor said the market was “not merely a commercial centre, but a symbol of Karachi’s historic identity and the urban heritage of the British era.” He noted that over the decades the market had suffered neglect, encroachments, and a fading of its original beauty.
“The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation took the initiative to preserve this heritage. Renovation has retained the market’s character: platforms were removed, encroachments cleared, and modern facilities added to benefit the business community,” he said.
Mayor Wahab emphasised that the restoration of heritage sites forms an essential part of urban development, promoting both the city’s beauty and commercial activity. The 100-year-old market, located in the Old City area of Ranchore Line, now stands revitalised as a symbol of Karachi’s multicultural history.
Provincial Minister Zulfiqar Shah, elected representatives, members of the business community, the Hoti family, and KMC officials were present at the inauguration. Speaking at the event, Shah commended the mayor and the Heritage Department for preserving Sindh’s cultural legacy, noting that work was also underway on Empress Market, Frere Hall, and other historic buildings.
Mayor Wahab highlighted the broader vision for Karachi, noting that Denso Hall and Frere Hall had already been restored, work on the KMC Building and Lee Market had begun, and the restoration of Machhi Miani Market would soon follow. He added that Rs. 46 billion would be spent on the city this year, with projects including K-IV, Hub Canal, and other water initiatives underway. He also mentioned the introduction of new buses and promised that visible development would continue over the next year and a half under the leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Chief Minister of Sindh, and provincial ministers.
Concluding the ceremony, the mayor said the restoration of Hassan Ali Hoti Market was a gift not only to the business community but also to future generations, and that preserving historic Karachi’s original identity remained the mission of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation.
