Karachi: The Jinnah Society and Sindh government’s Culture Department have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to build a nation-building research institute at Quaid-e-Azam House Museum in Karachi.
The Quaid-e-Azam Museum House, formerly the Flagstaff House and situated on the intersection of two important roads in the city centre, remained the personal residence of the Founder of the Nation Mohammad Ali Jinnah from 1944 to 1948. Later, his sister Fatima Jinnah stayed there till 1964. The historical monument, which is a beautiful sandstone building, now houses a museum dedicated to the life of Mohammed Ali Jinnah.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah attended the MoU signing ceremony as its chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion, Sindh CM said that he visited the Quaid-e-Azam House Museum for the first time despite crossing the historical monument almost every day.
“This is the first time I have come here. I was born in Karachi. I have lived all my life here. But I have never come to this place despite crossing it almost every day,” Shah said. “We all need to work harder to make sure that our children are aware about what our forefathers have done for the country and also able to cherish it,” he said.
“I have very little interest about history as I’m very candid about this fact. Our children have even less interest than us. We need to take this history forward,” he said.
Shah hoped that the proposed institute would become the learning ground for the next generation. He said the new institute would be able to produce researchers who will come up with the correct version of their history.
History
The historic building of Quaid-e-Azam House Museum consists of arched openings, carved pillars, semi-circular balconies and six spacious rooms, which include two bedrooms, two drawing rooms, one study and one dining room. The building was designed by a British architect, Moses Somake, also known for constructing other famous architectural structures in Karachi, such as Mules Mansion, Bai Virbaijee Soparivala Parsi High School, Karachi Goan Hall and Edward House. A tile on the roof has the date 1868 embossed on it, the year the house was constructed.
The house was purchased by Mohammad Ali Jinnah in 1943 from Sohrab Katrak, a former mayor of Karachi, for Rs115,000. Jinnah paid Rs5,000 in advance and then paid the rest later.
Jinnah’s belongings were restored to their original state there in 1993. The crockery displayed in the chest there was gifted by the governments of China and Japan.
There are servant quarters and a horse barn which has been converted into a library. The garden has been renovated multiple times while the trees have remained untouched.
