KARACHI: City Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab inaugurated the historic Hassan Ali Hothi Market after its complete renovation, marking 100 years of the old city marketplace.
The market, located in Ranchore Line, was restored after extensive renovation and conservation work. The project aimed to revive its original architectural design while also providing modern facilities for traders.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Wahab said the Hassan Ali Hothi Market is not just a business centre but an important symbol of Karachi’s history and colonial-era heritage. He said the market was built a century ago and reflects the city’s cultural identity, but over the years it was neglected and affected by encroachments.
He said the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) took responsibility for protecting and restoring this valuable heritage site.
Encroachments and raised platforms were removed, and unnecessary structural changes were reversed. At the same time, modern facilities were added to create a cleaner and more organised environment for shopkeepers.
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The mayor said the renovation was carried out carefully to preserve the market’s original design and character. He added that restoring heritage sites is an important part of sustainable urban development, as it improves the city’s appearance and supports economic activity.
Mayor Wahab said Karachi is a multicultural city where people of different backgrounds, ethnicities and religions live together, and historic markets like Hassan Ali Hothi Market reflect this harmony.
He also shared updates on other heritage projects in the city. He said Denso Hall and Frere Hall have already been restored, work on Empress Market is ongoing, the KMC Building is under restoration, work on Lea Market has started, and the restoration of Machi Miani Market will begin soon.
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Sharing development figures, the mayor said Rs46 billion will be spent on Karachi during the current year. He said work is in progress on major water projects, including K-IV, the Hub Canal and other schemes.
He added that new buses are being introduced in the city and that visible development progress will be seen over the next 18 months.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Sindh Minister for Culture Zulfiqar Shah, elected representatives, members of the trader community, members of the Hothi family and senior KMC officials.
Addressing the event, Culture Minister Zulfiqar Shah thanked the mayor for completing the restoration of Hassan Ali Hothi Market in cooperation with the Heritage Department. He said projects such as Empress Market and Frere Hall show the Sindh government’s commitment to preserving the province’s cultural heritage.
