The S.M. Government Science College is one of the oldest educational institutions in South Asia, which started as a school in 1885, became a first college for Muslims in Sindh in 1943, it was inaugurated by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah on 20thJune 1943.
S.M. Government Science College, constituting three (3) buildings (viz. Hassan Ali House, Khairpur House and Sardar House) and a vast open yard located at Shahrah-e-Liaqat (Frere Road), Karachi (having 57150 square-foot as a covered area. These buildings, built between 1909 and 1919, have been a cherished architectural feature were originally constructed in well-dressed stone in lime mortar, covered with flat wooden plank roofs supported by wooden beams, finished on exterior with lime pointing and on interior with lime plaster, the doors and windows were in teakwood and the verandah openings were provided with low stone balustrades.
The buildings have also been altered on both exterior and interior in the past – replaced wooden floors and roofs with RCC slabs and beams, replaced breathable lime plaster, lime pointing and limewash with impermeable cement plaster, cement pointing, and modern acrylic paint, which alterations, deletions, and additions have changed and damaged their historic materials, features and form besides giving rise to the problem of damp causing decay and deterioration of their historic fabric. Hassan Ali House is the most affected building; it has lost its magnificent front two-story arcaded verandah in the process of alterations for widening of classrooms and labs.
Phase-I: Repair and rehabilitation of the spalled / cracked / badly deteriorated / endangered areas of RCC slabs and beams of the buildings and save the students, faculty, and staff from any mishap.
Phase-II: Control/cure of damp affecting the load bearing stone masonry walls to enable the buildings to stand there unharmed.
Phase-III: Treatment of historic exterior and interior of the buildings in accordance with the SOI’s Standards and Guidelines for Preservation / Rehabilitation / Restoration of Historic Buildings and attached hereto as Appendix B, under the direct supervision of a person or persons who meet(s) or exceed(s) the SOI’s Professional Qualifications Standards in the appropriate field.
Principal S.M. Science College approached for restoration and rehabilitation of the buildings. After carrying out proper survey and site visit of the college, the EFT Board decided to provide financial assistance of Rs. 10 million for Hasan Ali House, Khairpur and Sardar House.