Share this story!            

Mideast plot to be turned into a hotel franchise?

Staff Report

KARACHI: The Clifton Cantonment Board (CCB) discussed on Saturday a proposed building plan with Sofitel, an international chain of hotels and resorts, which may construct a hotel on the plot of the former Mid East Center located in Block 9, Clifton, according to a press release.

A meeting of the Building Technical Committee of the CCB was presided over by CCB President Brig. Kamran Aziz Qazi and attended by CCB Chief Executive Officer Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmed Mir and representatives of the Defence Housing Authority, the city district government Karachi, the Karachi Building Control Authority and other service departments.

According to the consultant, the building would consist of 25 floors including four basements. Brig. Qazi said that the building would be equipped with all facilities such as a car park, water supply, electricity, gas and sewerage. Special attention would be given to the privacy and security of the guests. The best methods of fire fighting and earthquake-resistant technology would be used.

The next meeting will take place in 15 days in which the final decision allowing the construction of the hotel would be made.

In May last year, the news of the sale of the plot elicited concern from some quarters. Mideast hospital and its all-night pharmacy catered to the populations of Clifton and Defence and its absence was acutely felt. Since then no other healthcare facility of the same scope has taken its place. It has also become difficult to find a late night pharmacy open in the area.

In May 2005, the Sindh High Court issued notices in a petition challenging the construction of a shopping plaza on the site of Mideast Hospital. The petitioner, a lawyer, said an amenity plot could not be put to commercial use.

Home | Karachi

Share this story!