Adil Najam
We have had some fascinating discussions about on ATP about buildings and architecture. A few days ago Pervaiz Munir Alvi took us through a tour of Pakistan’s architectural history (here). His concern about architectural neglect was not unsimilar to that expressed by Raza Rumi (here) and SAJ Shirazi (here) earlier. Earlier we have looked in detail at the architectural legacies of various cities, including Lahore (also here), Karachi (also here), Multan and, of course, had spirited discussions about the new ‘7-star’ hotel – The Centaurus – being built in Islamabad (here and here).
The discussion has been rich and many have already identified what their favorite buildings in Pakistan are. Maybe we should invite others to also join the discussion identify structures that ‘do it’ for them.
What are your architectural preferences? Which buildings in Pakistan do you find aesthetically pleasing? Which would you consider most emblematic of Pakistan and ‘Pakistaniat’? In short, what is/are your favorite buildings in Pakistan? And, always, why?
We don’t need any rules, but a few guidelines; if I may.
- You can name any building that you want, as long as it is in Pakistan and that actually exists (sorry, Centaurus does not count; not yet!).
- It does not matter if it was built before or after 1947, as long as it still exists.
- I expect that a lot of the entries will be commemorative structures (mousuleums, monuments, etc.). That is to be expected. I woudl love to also hear about which functional buildings (hotels, office towers, bridges, etc.) you find most fascinating.
- Do please also tell us why you like a particualr building (that is much more interesting than you telling us why you do not like someone else’s choice!). If you have any interesting information about the building, do please share.
- We hope to eventually turn this into a running list of “ATP Reader’s Choice,” so please do ask your friends who are interested in such issues to also come and post their choices here.
Come to think of it, among the post-partition buildings, the PC Karachi is not a bad building. It was built in the 60s as a part of the chain of the Intercontinental hotels. Somehow, it looks as if it belongs to Pakistan. Probably the ‘jali’ around it makes gives a traditional effect.
How come no ones mentioned Minar-e-Pakistan yet.
Also, unfortunately in a horrible shape right now, but The Empress Market in karachi is also a beautiful building.
Someone up there mentioned the need for a downtown like area in Karachi and Lahore, well I think we pretty much have it already in both the cities. The Saddar part of Karachi and the Walled City of Lahore pretty much is the downtown, however, its functionality is not the same. I am firm believer that if the Saddar part of karachi is revitalized it would make for a beautiful downtown district.
One more building that I have been fond of is the ABN Amro Bank building on Abdullah Haroon Road, next to the Marriot. It has the poise of a great financial institution and the atrium, the main service area, has been designed and decorated very well for its function as a financial institution.
I know we are talking of our favorite buildings, but it would make us appreciate those buildings more if we also look at some of the not-so-good-looking or outright ugly buildings. We have all seen the Islamia College Peshawar building (top left picture in the post), which was built in 1913 and is an enduringly beautiful building. Now contrast that with Ayub Medical College building in Abbottabad built in in the 1980s, probably at a greater cost in terms of today’s rupees, and you would know what we are talking about. (I wish someone could briefly post that picture here. It is available on flickr.com.)
@Adil
No doubt I was absent as lot of deadlines were due in October.
Regarding Bahawalpur architecture, unfortunately most of the buildings are in pathetic condition. But Noor Mahal was recently renovated, as Army had purchased it some years back.
Of course we can have a post on it as I have pictures from Cholistan (Fort Derawar) with me.
Roshan, good to see you back here.
Thanks also for bringing up Noor Mahal in Bahawalpur. I had thought of adding a picture of it here but had not found a good one. I think we should have a seperate post on Bahawalpur’s architectural legacy… it is a fascinating and less known tale. Do you know whatthe current state of these buildings is? Have there been any efforts to restore and maintain them?