A search for Roots – Yasmeen Lari

About: Yasmeen Lari, is the first woman Architect of Pakistan. She is the Principle of Lari Associates, one of the best-known architecural practies in the country. After receiving her early schooling in queen Mary’s Adbistan-i-soofia and Kinnaird Collage, Lahore, she graduated from the Oxford school of Architecture. As the President of the Institute of Architects, Pakistan (IAP) and the first Chairperson of the Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners (PCATP); she was instrumental in bringing about recognition for the professions of architecture and town planning. In 1969, her work on squatter settlements persuaded the government to change its of residents, to regularization and upgrading of these settlements. As Director of Heritage Foundation and an outspoken proponent of conservation, she was helped save a number of important unique architectural treasures in Karachi and Lahore. Her efforts resulted in the Sindh Government agreeing in 1994 to bring about a law for the protection of cultural heritage in the province and in 1997 the notificaton of over 600 historic buildings of Karachi published by Heritage Foundation. Yasmeen Lari’s pioneering works include ‘Traditional Architecture of Thatta’ and ‘The Dual City: Karachi During the Raj’.