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Published 12 Jan, 2023 11:47am

Tour Karachi’s 91-year-old mayor office: Old KMC Building

The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Building is a colonial-era building located on M. A. Jinnah Road, in central Karachi. Construction began in 1927, was completed in 1930, and the building was then inaugurated in 1932.

“There was no chief guest at KMC’s opening ceremony, rather the citizens of Karachi inaugurated the building,” said Ali Hassan Sajid, Senior director of KMC.

It is considered to be one of the most architecturally significant buildings in Karachi.

“The red stone used for the construction of the building is from Jaipur and the clock in the clock tower was presented to us as a gift from George V in 1935. It’s manual and still requires a key to function.” Director KMC shared.

The rooms and corridors were designed to ensure airflow and lots of sunlight, so usage of electricity can be minimum.

“This is probably one of the only buildings in Karachi that is being used for the purpose it was originally made for,” KMC was built to be a municipal office and continues to serve the people to this day.

“Karachi’s first mayor, Jamshed Nusserwanji Mehta used to sit in this very council hall,” The hall holds a lot of historical significance. Around 26 mayors after him sat here too.

The building is a famous Karachi landmark. It also serves as a tourist attraction.“People from different countries come here to see the famous Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s main office.”

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