Karachi's iconic globe to be relocated to Hasan Square: Murtaza Wahab

KARACHI: Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab said on Saturday that the city administration would preserve and relocate the iconic globe situated across from Islamia College and Dawood University of Engineering and Technology to Hasan Square.

The announcement was made during the inauguration of the Landhi Sports Complex. The decision was taken as part of efforts to preserve sites and structures regarded as historically significant in the city.

The globe, described as a 60-tonne structure, had earlier been slated for removal to make way for the Bus Rapid Transit Red Line project. Earlier in 2024, the Jinnah Town chairman had announced a plan to preserve the structure and shift it to the National Stadium. However, that proposal did not materialise.

Mayor Wahab also said that, in view of the historical importance of Empress Market, memorials dedicated to martyrs would be set up there. He urged citizens to share suggestions concerning historical monuments so that the city administration could support such preservation efforts.

Speaking at the event, the mayor said residents of Landhi and Korangi had been deliberately denied basic civic facilities in the past, but added that the current administration had come with a message of improvement and development.

He said, “When intentions are sincere, God makes the path easier, and it is this spirit that is helping us address public issues”. He also said, “The primary responsibility of any municipal government is to resolve citizens’ problems, but Kara­chi’s condition was deliberately allowed to deteriorate over the past three to four decades,” he said.

Landhi Sports Complex facilities

The mayor said the swimming pool at the KMC sports complex had also been upgraded to modern standards. He added that memberships would be offered at affordable rates so that more people could make use of the facility.

The latest announcement settles, for now, the question of where the globe will be moved after the earlier plan to relocate it to the National Stadium failed to go ahead. The structure has drawn attention because of its prominence and because its removal became necessary for work linked to the Red Line bus project.

Saturday’s remarks linked the relocation plan with a broader message from the city administration on urban improvement, public facilities and the preservation of Karachi’s historical landmarks.