Top topics
Wikis
Quiz
Facts
Map
Misc
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Karachi (help·info) (Urdu: کراچی, Sindhi: ڪراچي) is the largest city, main seaport and the financial capital of Pakistan, and the capital of the province of Sindh. With a city population of 15.5 million, Karachi is one of the world's largest cities,[4] 13th largest urban agglomeration[5] and the 20th largest metropolitan area in the world.[6]. It is Pakistan's premier centre of banking, industry, and trade. Karachi is home to Pakistan's largest corporations, including those that are involved in textiles, shipping, automotive industry, entertainment, the arts, fashion, advertising, publishing, software development and medical research. The city is a major hub of higher education in South Asia and the wider Islamic world.[7] Karachi is ranked as a Beta world city.[8][9]
Karachi enjoys its prominent position because of its geographical location on a bay, making it the financial capital of the country. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. It was the original capital of Pakistan until the construction of Islamabad and is the location of the Port of Karachi and Port Bin Qasim, one of the region's largest and busiest ports. After the partition of India and the independence of Pakistan, the city's population increased dramatically when hundreds of thousands of migrants from India, East Pakistan (later Bangladesh) and other parts of South Asia came to settle in the city.
Karachi city is spread over 3,530 km2 (1,360 sq mi) in area, almost five times bigger than Singapore. It is locally known as the "City of Lights" (روشنیوں کا شهر) and "The bride of the cities" (عروس البلاد) for its liveliness, and the "City of the Quaid" (شهرِ قائد), having been the birth and burial place of Quaid-e-Azam (Muhammad Ali Jinnah), the founder of Pakistan, who made the city his home after Pakistan's independence.
Contents |
The area of Karachi was known to the ancient Greeks by many names: Krokola, the place where Alexander the Great camped to prepare a fleet for Babylonia after his campaign in the Indus Valley; 'Morontobara' (probably Manora island near Karachi harbour), from whence Alexander's admiral Nearchus set sail; and Barbarikon, a port of the Indo-Greek Bactrian kingdom. It was later known to the Arabs as Debal, the starting point for Muhammad bin Qasim and his army in 712 AD. Karachi was founded as "Kolachi" by Baloch tribes from Balochistan and Makran, who established a small fishing community in the area.[10] Descendants of the original community still live in the area on the small island of Abdullah Goth, which is located near the Karachi Port. The original name "Kolachi" survives in the name of a well-known Karachi locality named "Mai Kolachi". The city was visited by Ottoman Admiral Seydi Ali Reis in 1550s and mentioned in his book Mirat ul Memalik (The Mirror of Countries), 1557 AD.[11] The present city started life as a fishing settlement when a Balochi fisherwoman called Mai Kolachi took up residence and started a family. The village that later grew out of this settlement was known as Kolachi-jo-Goth (Village of Kolachi in Sindhi). By the late 1720s, the village was trading across the Arabian Sea with Muscat and the Persian Gulf region. A small fort was constructed for its protection, armed with cannons imported from Muscat. The fort had two main gateways: one facing the sea, known as Kharra Darwaaza (Brackish Gate) (Kharadar) and the other facing the Lyari River known as the Meet'ha Darwaaza (Sweet Gate) (Mithadar).[12] The location of these gates correspond to the modern areas of Kharadar (Khārā Dar) and Mithadar (Mīṭhā Dar).
After sending a couple of exploratory missions to the area, the British East India Company conquered the town when HMS Wellesley anchored off Manora island on 1 February 1839. Two days later, the little fort surrendered.[13] The town was later annexed to the British Indian Empire when Sindh was conquered by Charles James Napier in Battle of Miani on 17 February 1843. On his departure in 1847, he is said to have remarked, "Would that I could come again to see you in your grandeur!" Karachi was made the capital of Sindh in the 1840s. On Napier's departure, it was added along with the rest of Sindh to the Bombay Presidency, a move that caused considerable resentment among the native Sindhis. The British realised the importance of the city as a military cantonment and as a port for exporting the produce of the Indus River basin, and rapidly developed its harbour for shipping. The foundations of a city municipal government were laid down and infrastructure development was undertaken. New businesses started opening up and the population of the town began rising rapidly. The arrival of the troops of the Kumpany Bahadur in 1839 spawned the foundation of the new section, the military cantonment. The cantonment formed the basis of the 'white' city, where the Indians were not allowed free access. The 'white' town was modeled after English industrial parent-cities, where work and residential spaces were separated, as were residential from recreational places. Karachi was divided into two major poles. The 'black' town in the northwest, now enlarged to accommodate the burgeoning Indian mercantile population. In 1857, the First Indian War for Independence broke out in South Asia and the 21st Native Infantry stationed in Karachi declared allegiance to rebels, joining their cause on 10 September 1857. Nevertheless, the British were able to quickly reassert control over Karachi and defeat the uprising.
In 1864, the first telegraphic message was sent from India to England, when a direct telegraph connection was laid between Karachi and London.[14] In 1878, the city was connected to the rest of British India by rail. Public building projects, such as Frere Hall (1865) and the Empress Market (1890), were undertaken. In 1876, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, was born in the city, which by now had become a bustling city with mosques, churches, courthouses, kota, paved streets and a magnificent harbour. By 1899, Karachi had become the largest wheat exporting port in the East.[15] The population of the city was about 105,000 inhabitants by the end of the 19th century, with a cosmopolitan mix of Muslims, Hindus, Zoroastrians, Christians and Jews. There were various linguistic groups, such as Urdu speakers, Punjabis as well as Pashtuns and Balochis. The multi-ethnic mix can be imagined from the fact that there are more Pashtuns in Karachi than in any city of the North-West Frontier Province. In addition to local groups, there were immigrants of Persian, Lebanese, and European backgrounds. By the turn of the century, the city faced street congestion, which led to Southwest Asia's first tramway system being laid down in 1900. British colonialists embarked on a number of public works of sanitation and transportation — such as gravel paved streets, proper drains, street sweepers, and a network of trams and horse-drawn trolleys. Colonial administrators set up military camps, a European inhabited quarter, and organised marketplaces, of which the Empress Market is most notable.
By the time the new country of Pakistan was formed in 1947 Karachi had become a bustling metropolis with beautiful classical and colonial European styled buildings, lining the city’s thoroughfares. Karachi was chosen as the capital of Pakistan, which at the time included modern day Bangladesh, a region located more than 1,000 km (620 mi) away, and not physically connected to Pakistan. In 1947, Karachi was the focus for settlement by Muslim migrants from India, who drastically expanded the city's population and transformed the demographics and economy. In 1958, the capital of Pakistan was moved from Karachi to Rawalpindi and then in 1960, to the newly built Islamabad. This marked the start of a long period of decline in the city, marked by a lack of development.[16] Karachi had both a municipal corporation and a Karachi Divisional Council in the 1960s, which developed plans for schools, colleges, roads, municipal gardens, and parks. The Karachi Divisional Council had separate working committees for education, roads, and residential societies development and planning.[17] During the 1960s, Karachi was seen as an economic role model around the world. Many countries sought to emulate Pakistan's economic planning strategy and one of them, South Korea, copied the city's second "Five-Year Plan" and World Financial Centre in Seoul is designed and modeled after Karachi.[18][19]
The 1970s saw major labour struggles in Karachi's industrial estates, (see: Karachi labour unrest of 1972). The 1980s and 1990s saw an influx of refugees from the Soviet war in Afghanistan into Karachi, they were followed in smaller numbers by refugees escaping from Iran.[20] Political tensions between the Muhajir and other native groups (e.g. Sindhis, Punjabis, Pashtuns, and others), erupted and the city was wracked with political and racial violence. The period from 1992 to 1994 is regarded as the bloodiest period in the history of the city, when the Army commenced its Operation Clean-up against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. Most of these tensions have now simmered down. Today, Karachi continues to be an important financial and industrial centre and handles most of the overseas trade of Pakistan and the other Central Asian countries. It accounts for a lion's share of the GDP of Pakistan,[21] and a large proportion of the country's white collar workers.[22]
Karachi is located in the south of Pakistan, on the coast of the Arabian Sea. Its geographic coordinates are 24°51′ N 67°02′ E. Most of the land comprised largely of flat or rolling plains, with hills on the western and Manora Island and the Oyster Rocks. The Arabian Sea beach lines the southern coastline of Karachi. Mangroves and creeks of the Indus delta can be found toward the southeast side of the city. Toward the west and the north is Cape Monze, locally known as Raas Muari, an area marked with projecting sea cliffs and rocky sandstone promontories. Some excellent beaches can be found in this area. Khasa Hills lie in the north west and form the border between North Nazimabad Town and Orangi Town. The Manghopir mountain range lies in north west of Karachi and between Hub River and Manghopir.
Located on the coast, Karachi tends to have a relatively mild, arid climate with low average precipitation levels (approximately 250 mm per annum), the bulk of which occurs during the July-August monsoon season. Winters are mild and the summers are hot; the proximity to the sea maintains humidity levels at a near-constant high and cool sea breezes relieve the heat of the summer months. Because of high temperatures during the summer (ranging from 30 to 44 degrees Celsius from April to August), the winter months (November to February) are generally considered the best times to visit Karachi. December and January have pleasant and cloudy weather.
In 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2009 Karachi was affected by heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. On June 23, 2007, Cyclone Yemyin lashed the city with heavy downpours and strong windstorms. On July 18, 2009, there was severe flooding, in which a record-breaking rainfall of 235 mm occurred in just 14 hours, killing 20 and injuring 150 people. The city's highest monthly rainfall—711.5 mm (28.0) inches—occurred in July 1869.[citation needed] Karachi's highest recorded temperature is 48 °C (118 °F) and its lowest is 0.0 °C (32 °F).[23]
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record high °C (°F) | 32 (90) |
34 (93) |
41 (106) |
44 (111) |
48 (118) |
46 (115) |
43 (109) |
37 (99) |
41 (106) |
42 (108) |
38 (100) |
33 (91) |
48 (118) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 25 (77) |
26 (79) |
29 (84) |
32 (90) |
34 (93) |
34 (93) |
33 (91) |
31 (88) |
31 (88) |
33 (91) |
31 (88) |
27 (81) |
30.5 (87) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 13 (55) |
14 (57) |
19 (66) |
23 (73) |
26 (79) |
28 (82) |
27 (81) |
26 (79) |
25 (77) |
22 (72) |
18 (64) |
14 (57) |
21.3 (70) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 0 (32) |
3 (37) |
7 (45) |
12 (54) |
18 (64) |
22 (72) |
22 (72) |
20 (68) |
18 (64) |
10 (50) |
6 (43) |
1 (34) |
0 (32) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 13 (0.51) |
10 (0.39) |
8 (0.31) |
3 (0.12) |
3 (0.12) |
18 (0.71) |
85 (3.35) |
61 (2.4) |
13 (0.51) |
0 (0) |
3 (0.12) |
5 (0.2) |
222 (8.74) |
| Source: [24] & [25] 5.08.2009 | |||||||||||||
| Population growth | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1881 | 73,560 |
|
|
| 1891 | 105,199 | 43.0% | |
| 1901 | 136,297 | 29.6% | |
| 1911 | 186,771 | 37.0% | |
| 1921 | 244,162 | 30.7% | |
| 1931 | 300,799 | 23.2% | |
| 1941 | 435,887 | 44.9% | |
| 1951 | 1,068,459 | 145.1% | |
| 1961 | 1,912,598 | 79.0% | |
| 1972 | 3,426,310 | 79.1% | |
| 1981 | 5,208,132 | 52.0% | |
| 1998 | 9,339,023 | 79.3% | |
| Est. 2009 | 12-18,000,000 |
|
|
|
Source:[3]
† Huge population rise in 1951 because of large scale migration after Partition of India in 1947. |
|||
The population and demographic distribution in Karachi has undergone numerous changes over the past 150 years. Non-governmental and international estimates of Karachi's population run anywhere from 12 million to 18 million[3][26][27] – a huge increase over its population in 1947 (400,000). It is estimated that over 90% of its population are migrants from different backgrounds. The city's population is growing at about 5% per year (mainly as a result of rural-urban internal migration), including an estimated 45,000 migrant workers coming to the city every month from different parts of Pakistan.[28]
Before 1947, Karachi had communities of Sindhis, Balochs, Parsis, Hindus, Christian, Jews, Marathis, Goans, Armenians, Chinese, British, Lebanese and Gujaratis. After independence of Pakistan, a large number of Sindhi Hindus and Sindhi Sikhs left the city for Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Punjab and were replaced by Muslim migrants known as Muhajirs. The Muhajirs migrated from different parts of India the majority of them spoke Urdu.[29] Karachi has a cosmopolitan mix of many ethno-linguistic groups from all over Pakistan and refugees from neighboring countries.[30] The Sheedis, the local name for Afro-Pakistanis, trace their roots to African slaves.[31]
After the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, thousands of Biharis and Bengalis from Bangladesh arrived in the city, followed by Rohingya refugees[32] from Burma, and Asians from Uganda. According to the UNHCR and the local law enforcement, approximately 50,000 registered Afghan refugees live in Karachi.[33] Many other refugees from Iran and Tajikistan have settled in the city. With an estimated 7.0 million ethnic Pashtuns,[34] Karachi hosts one of the largest Pashtun populations in the world.
According to the census of Pakistan 1998, the religious breakdown of the city is as follows:[35] Muslim (96.45%), Christian (2.42%), Hindu (0.86%), Ahmadi (0.17%) and other (0.10%). (Other religious groups include Parsis, Sikhs, Bahai, Jews and Buddhists).
The most commonly spoken language in Karachi is Urdu, the national language. Sindhi, Punjabi, Pashto and Balochi are widely spoken in the city. As per the census of Pakistan 1998, the linguistic distribution of the city is:[35] Urdu (48.52%), Punjabi (13.94%), Pashto (11.42%), Sindhi (7.22%), Balochi (4.34%), Saraiki (2.11%) and other (12.44%). (Other languages mainly include Gujarati and Memoni with smaller populations of Dari, Brahui, Marathi, Makrani, Hindko, Khowar, Burushaski, Arabic and Persian.)
Karachi is the financial and commercial capital of Pakistan. In line with its status as a major port and the country's largest metropolis, it accounts for a lion's share of Pakistan's revenue. According to the Federal Board of Revenue's 2006-2007 year book, tax and customs units in Karachi were responsible for 46.75% of direct taxes, 33.65% of federal excise tax, and 23.38% of domestic sales tax.[36] Karachi accounts for 75.14% of customs duty and 79% of sales tax on imports.[36] Therefore, Karachi collects a significant 53.38% of the total collections of the Federal Board of Revenue (since renamed as the Central Board of Revenue), out of which 53.33% are customs duty and sales tax on imports.[36] (Note: Revenue collected from Karachi includes revenue from some other areas since the Large Tax Unit (LTU) Karachi and Regional Tax Offices (RTOs) Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur & Quetta cover the entire province of Sindh and Balochistan).[36] Karachi's indigenous contribution to national revenue is 25%.[21]
Karachi's contribution to Pakistan's manufacturing sector amounts to approximately 30 percent.[37] A substantial chunk of Sindh’s gross domestic product (GDP) is attributed to Karachi[38][39] (the GDP of Sindh as a percentage of Pakistan’s total GDP has traditionally hovered around 28%-30%).[38][39][40][41] Karachi’s GDP is around 20% of the total GDP of Pakistan.[21][42] A PricewaterhouseCoopers study released in 2009, which surveyed the 2008 GDP of the top cities in the world, calculated Karachi’s GDP (PPP) to be $78 billion[43] (projected to be $193 billion in 2025 at a growth rate of 5.5%).[43] It confirmed Karachi’s status as Pakistan’s largest economy, well ahead of the next two biggest cities Lahore and Faisalabad, which had a reported GDP (PPP) in 2008 of $40 billion and $14 billion, respectively.[43] Karachi's high GDP is based on its mega-industrial base, with a high dependency on the financial sector. Textiles, cement, steel, heavy machinery, chemicals, food, banking and insurance are the major segments contributing to Karachi's GDP. In February 2007, the World Bank identified Karachi as the most business-friendly city in Pakistan.[44] Karachi is the nerve center of Pakistan's economy. The economic stagnation caused by political anarchy, ethnic strife and resultant military operation during late 80s and 90s led to efflux of industry from Karachi. Most of Pakistan's public and private banks are headquartered on Karachi's I. I. Chundrigar Road; according to a 2001 report, nearly 60% of the cashflow of the Pakistani economy takes place on I. I. Chundrigar Road. Most major foreign multinational corporations operating in Pakistan have their headquarters in Karachi. The Karachi Stock Exchange is the largest stock exchange in Pakistan, and is considered by many economists to be one of the prime reasons for Pakistan's 8% GDP growth across 2005.[45] A recent report by Credit Suisse on Pakistan's stock market is a testimonial to its strong fundamentals, estimating Pakistan’s relative return on equities at 26.7 percent, compared to Asia’s 11 percent.[46]
Recently, Karachi has seen an expansion of information and communications technology and electronic media and has become the software outsourcing hub of Pakistan. Call centres for foreign companies have been targeted as a significant area of growth, with the government making efforts to reduce taxes by as much as 10% in order to gain foreign investments in the IT sector.[47][48] Many of Pakistan’s independent television and radio stations are based in Karachi, including world-popular Business Plus, AAJ News, Geo TV, KTN,[49] Sindh TV,[50] CNBC Pakistan, TV ONE, ARY Digital, Indus Television Network, Samaa TV and Dawn News, as well as several local stations.
Karachi has several large industrial zones such as Karachi Export Processing Zone, SITE, Korangi, Northern Bypass Industrial Zone, Bin Qasim and North Karachi, located on the fringes of the main city.[51] Its primary areas of industry are textiles, pharmaceuticals, steel, and automobiles. In addition, Karachi has a vibrant cottage industry and there is a rapidly flourishing Free Zone with an annual growth rate of nearly 6.5%. The Karachi Expo Centre hosts many regional and international exhibitions.[52] There are many development projects proposed, approved and under construction in Karachi. Among projects of note, Emaar Properties is proposing to invest $43bn (£22.8bn) in Karachi to develop Bundal Island, which is a 12,000 acre (49 km²) island just off the coast of Karachi.[53] The Karachi Port Trust is planning a Rs. 20 billion, 1,947 feet (593 m) high Port Tower Complex on the Clifton shoreline.[54][55] It will comprise a hotel, a shopping center, an exhibition center and a revolving restaurant with a viewing gallery offering a panoramic view of the coastline and the city.
Karachi is home to some of Pakistan's important cultural institutions. The National Academy of Performing Arts,[56] located in the newly renovated Hindu Gymkhana, offers a two-year diploma course in performing arts that includes classical music and contemporary theatre. The All Pakistan Music Conference, linked to the 45-year-old similar institution in Lahore, has been holding its Annual Music Festival since its inception in 2004. The Festival is now a well-established feature of the city life of Karachi that is attended by more than 3000 citizens of Karachi as well as people from other cities.[57] The National Arts Council (Koocha-e-Saqafat) has musical performances and mushaira (poetry recitations). The Kara Film Festival annually showcases independent Pakistani and international films and documentaries.
Karachi has many museums that present exhibitions on a regular basis, including the Mohatta Palace and the National Museum of Pakistan. Karachi Expo Centre hosts many regional and international exhibitions.
The everyday lifestyle of Karachi differs substantially from that of other Pakistani cities and towns. The culture of Karachi is characterized by the blending of South Asian, Middle Eastern, Central Asian and Western influences, as well as its status as a major international business centre. After the partition of Indian subcontinent, Karachi received a large number of refugees from all over India, whose influence is now evident in the city's different sub-cultures. Karachi hosts the largest middle class stratum of the country.[citation needed]
Karachi has a rich collection of buildings and structures of various architectural styles and many modern style high rise buildings are under construction. The downtown districts of Saddar and Clifton contain a rich collection of early 20th century architecture, ranging in style from neo-classical KPT building to the Sindh High Court Building. During the British rule, Britishers wanted to model their Empire along the lines of ancient Rome and classical architecture was considered most appropriate for built monuments of the Raj.[citation needed] Karachi acquired its first neo-Gothic or Indo-Gothic building when Frere Hall, Empress Market and St. Patrick's Cathedral were completed. English Tudor style was introduced in Karachi Gymkhana and the Boat Club. Italian Renaissance was very popular and was the language for St. Joseph's Convent (1870) and the Sind Club (1883).[58] Classical style made a comeback in the late nineteenth century as seen in Lady Dufferin Hospital (1898)[59] and the Cantt. Railway Station. While 'Italianate' buildings remained popular, an eclectic blend termed Indo-Saracenic or Anglo-Mughal began to emerge in some locations.
The local mercantile community began acquiring impressive mercantile structures. Zaibunnisa Street in Saddar area (known as Elphinstone Street in British days) is an example where the mercantile groups adopted the 'Italianate' and Indo-Saracenic style to demonstrate their familiarity with western culture and their own. The Hindu Gymkhana (1925) and Mohatta Palace are the example of Mughal revival buildings.[60] The Sindh Wildlife Conservation Building, located in Saddar, served as a Freemasonic Lodge until the time it was taken over by the government. There are talks of it being taken away from this custody and being renovated and the Lodge being preserved with its original woodwork and ornate wooden staircase.[61]
In recent years, a large number of architecturally distinctive, even eccentric, buildings have sprung up throughout Karachi. Notable examples of contemporary architecture include the Pakistan State Oil Headquarters building and the Karachi Financial Towers. The city has numerous examples of modern Islamic architecture, including the Aga Khan University hospital, Masjid e Tooba, Faran Mosque, Bait-ul Mukarram Mosque and Quaid's Mausoleum. One of the unique cultural elements of Karachi is that the residences, which are two- or three-story townhouses, are built with the front yard protected by a high brick wall. Ibrahim Ismail Chundrigar Road displays a wide range of supertall buildings. The most prominent examples include the Habib Bank Plaza, PRC Towers and the MCB Tower which is the tallest skyscraper in Pakistan.[62] Perhaps one of the most spectacular buildings of modern times, Port Tower Complex, a supertall skyscraper is proposed in the Clifton District of the metropolis. At 593 metres, the building will comprise a hotel, a shopping centre, an exhibition centre and a revolving restaurant with a viewing gallery offering a panoramic view of the coastline and the city.[63].
Many more high rise buildings are under construction, such as Centre Point near Korangi Industrial Area, IT Tower, Sofitel Tower Karachi and Emerald Tower. The Government of Sindh recently approved the construction of two high-density zones, which will host the new city skyline.
Karachi has always been proactive in organizing large events but because of the political and economic crisis in the country, activities have recently been slowed down. Karachi continues to host many different cultural and fashion shows. In 2009 a four-day-long fashion show was organized in Karachi's luxury Marriott hotel.[64] Karachi has many glitzy shopping malls in the Clifton area, Tariq Road, Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Hyderi shopping area, such as Park Towers, The Forum, Dolmen Mall and Millenium Mall. Zamzama Boulevard is known for its designer stores and many cafes. Almost all foreign brands along with famous Pakistani fashion labels such as Amir Adnan, Aijazz, Rizwan Beyg, Deepak Perwani, Shayanne Malik, Maria B, Khaadi, Sputnik Footwear, Metro Shoes, English Boot House, Cotton & Cotton, Men's store and Junaid Jamshed are present in various major shopping districts of the city.
Cricket is the most popular sport of the city and is usually played in many small grounds around the city. Gully cricket is played in the narrow by-lanes of the city. Nighttime cricket, popularly called 'night match', can be seen at weekends when people play brightly lit, late night matches on less traversed city streets and the game continues till dawn. Karachi has one world-class cricket stadium, named National Stadium. The National Stadium (NSK), the largest cricket stadium in Pakistan, became Karachi's fifth and Pakistan's 11th first-class ground. The inaugural first-class match was played at NSK between Pakistan and India on April 21–24, 1955. In 34 Tests between that first match and December 2000, Pakistan won 17 and were never beaten. Their only Test defeat on the ground came in the gloom against England in 2000-01. Since then, major terrorist activity, mainly bombings, have meant that non-Asian sides have refused to play in the city, and in five years only Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have visited.
The first One Day International at the National Stadium was against West Indies on November 21, 1980, and it went down to the last ball as Gordon Greenidge drove Imran Khan imperiously to the cover boundary with three needed. It has been a far less successful limited-overs venue, with defeats outnumbering victories. In fact, in a little under five years from the start of 1996, Pakistan failed to win on the ground. It staged a quarter-final match in the 1996-97 World Cup.
Other popular sports in the city are hockey, boxing, association football, golf, table tennis, snooker, squash, and horse racing. Sports like badminton, volleyball and basketball are popular in schools and colleges. Football is especially popular in Lyari Town, which has a large Afro-Balochi community and has always been a football-mad locality in Karachi. The Peoples Football Stadium is perhaps the largest football stadium in Pakistan with respect to capacity, easily accommodating around 40,000 people. In 2005, the city hosted the SAFF Championship at this ground, as well as the Geo Super Football League 2007, which attracted capacity crowds during the games.
The city has facilities for hockey (the Hockey Club of Pakistan, UBL Hockey Ground), boxing (KPT Sports Complex), squash (Jahangir Khan Squash Complex) and polo. Marinas and boating clubs add to the diverse sporting activities in Karachi.
The City of Karachi Municipal Act was promulgated in 1933. Initially the Municipal Corporation comprised the mayor, the deputy mayor and 57 councillors. The Karachi Municipal Corporation was changed to a Metropolitan Corporation in 1976. The administrative area of Karachi was a second-level subdivision known as Karachi Division, which was subdivided into five districts: Karachi Central, Karachi East, Karachi South, Karachi West and Malir. In 2000, the national government implemented a new devolution plan which abolished the second-tier divisions and merged the five districts of Karachi into a new City District, structured as a three-tiered federation, with the two lower tiers composed of 18 towns and 178 union councils (UC).[65]
The towns are governed by elected municipal administrations responsible for infrastructure and spatial planning, development facilitation, and municipal services (water, sanitation, solid waste, repairing roads, parks, street lights, and traffic engineering), with some functions being retained by the City-District Government (CDG).[65] The third-tier 178 union councils are each composed of thirteen directly elected members including a Nazim (mayor) and a Naib Nazim (deputy mayor). The UC Nazim heads the union administration and is responsible for facilitating the CDG to plan and execute municipal services, as well as for informing higher authorities about public concerns and complaints. Naimatullah Khan was the first Nazim of Karachi and Shafiq-Ur-Rehman Paracha was the first DCO of Karachi, Paracha even served as the last Commissioner of Karachi. Naimatullah Khan focused on building new parks, providing entertainment outlets to the youth (to celebrate events like Valentine's Day) and families (to celebrate events like Eid).
In the elections of 2005, Mustafa Kamal was elected City Nazim of Karachi to succeed Naimatullah Khan, and Nasreen Jalil was elected as the City Naib Nazim. Mustafa Kamal was previously the provincial minister for information technology in Sindh. Mustafa Kamal is advancing the development trail and has been actively involved in maintaining care of the city's municipal systems.[66]
There are six military cantonments administered by the Pakistan Army which do not form part of the City District Government of Karachi.
 |
In 2008-09, the city's literacy rate was estimated at 65.26%,[67] the highest in Pakistan,[68] with a gross enrolment ratio of 111%, the highest in Sindh.[69]
Education in Karachi is divided into five levels: primary (grades one through five); middle (grades six through eight); high (grades nine and ten, leading to the Secondary School Certificate); intermediate (grades eleven and twelve, leading to a Higher Secondary School Certificate); and university programs leading to graduate and advanced degrees. Karachi has both public and private educational institutions. Most educational institutions are gender-based, from primary to university level.
Karachi Grammar School is the oldest school in Pakistan and has educated many Pakistani businessmen and politicians. The Narayan Jagannath High School in Karachi, which opened in 1855, was the first government school established in Sindh. Other well-known schools include L'ecole for Advanced Studies, the CAS School, Bay View High School, Bay View Academy, Karachi American School, The Paradise School and College, Little Folks Secondary School, Habib Public School, Mama Parsi Girls Secondary School, B.V.S. Parsi Grammer School, Civilizations Public School, The Oasys School, Avicenna, Lyceum, Ladybird Grammar School, The City School, Beaconhouse School System, The Educators schools, Shahwilayat Public School, St Patrick's High School, St Paul's English High School, St Joseph's Convent School, and St Michael's Convent School.
The University of Karachi, known as KU, is Pakistan's largest university, with a student population of 24,000 and one of the largest faculties in the world. It is located next to the NED University of Engineering and Technology, the country's oldest engineering institute. In the private sector, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) provides reputable training in biomedical engineering, civil engineering, electronics engineering, telecom engineering and computer engineering. Dawood College of Engineering and Technology offers degree programmes in electronic engineering, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, materials engineering and architecture. Karachi Institute of Economics & Technology (KIET) has two campuses in Karachi and has been growing rapidly since its inception in 1997. The Plastics Technology Center (PTC), located in Karachi's Korangi Industrial Area, is at present Pakistan's only educational institution providing training in the field of polymer engineering and plastics testing services.[70] The Institute of Business Administration (IBA), founded in 1955, is the oldest business school outside of North America. The Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST), founded in 1995 by Benazir Bhutto, is located in Karachi, with its other campuses in Islamabad, Larkana and Dubai. Pakistan Navy Engineering College (PNEC) is a part of the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), offering a wide range of engineering programs, including electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. Hamdard University is the largest private university in Pakistan. Karachi is home of the head offices of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) (established in 1961) and the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMAP). Among the many other institutions providing business education are the College of Business Management (CBM), SZABIST, Iqra University and the Institute of Business and Technology (Biztek). Leading medical schools of Pakistan like The Aga Khan University and Dow University of Health Sciences have their campuses in Karachi. The National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (NUCES-FAST), one of Pakistan's top universities in computer education, operates two campuses in Karachi. Bahria University also has a purpose-built campus in Karachi.
For religious education, one of the largest Islamic education centers of Asia, the Jamia Uloom ul Islamia, Banori Town, Karachi, is located in Karachi.[71]
Many of Pakistan’s independent television and radio channels are based in Karachi, including Business Plus, Geo TV, Good News TV, CNBC Pakistan, Hum TV, TV ONE, AAJ TV, ARY Digital, Express News, Indus Television Network, Kawish Television Network (KTN), Sindh TV and Dawn News, as well as several local stations. Local channels include Metro One.
Pakistan's premier news television networks are based in Karachi, including News One, GEO News, ARY One World and AAJ News. AAG TV and MTV Pakistan are the main music television channels and Business Plus and CNBC Pakistan are the main business television channels based in the city. The bulk of Pakistan's periodical publishing industry is centred in Karachi, including magazines such as Spider, The Herald, Humsay, The Cricketer, Moorad Shipping News, and The Internet.
Major advertising companies like Interflow Communications and Orient McCann Erickson have their head offices in Karachi.
The Jinnah International Airport is located in Karachi. It is the largest and busiest airport of Pakistan. It handles 10 million passengers a year. The airport receives the largest number of foreign airlines, a total of 35 airlines and cargo operators fly to Jinnah International predominantly from the Middle East and Southeast Asia. All of Pakistan's airlines use Karachi as their primary transport hub including PIA - Pakistan International Airlines, Airblue, and Shaheen Air International.
The city's old airport terminals are now used for Hajj flights, offices, cargo facilities, and ceremonial visits from heads of state. U.S. Coalition forces used the old terminals for their logistic supply operations as well. The city has two other airstrips, used primarily by the armed forces.
The largest shipping ports in Pakistan are the Port of Karachi and the nearby Port Qasim. These seaports have modern facilities and not only handle trade for Pakistan, but serve as ports for Afghanistan and the landlocked Central Asian countries. Plans have been announced for new passenger facilities at the Port of Karachi.[72]
Karachi is linked by rail to the rest of the country by Pakistan Railways. The Karachi City Station and Karachi Cantonment Railway Station are the city's two major railway stations. The railway system handles a large amount of freight to and from the Karachi port and provides passenger services to people traveling up country.
A project to transform the existing, but non-operational, Karachi Circular Railway into a modern mass transit system has recently been approved by the government. The $1.6 billion project will be financed by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and will be completed by 2013. The city government has introduced an initiative to alleviate the transport pains by introducing new CNG buses.
Karachi district is a centre of research in biomedicine. The city is home to at least 30 public hospitals and more than 80 private hospitals, including the Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases, Spencer Eye Hospital, Civil Hospital, PNS Rahat, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Aga Khan University Hospital, Holy Family Hospital and Liaquat National Hospital, as well as Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Ziauddin Hospital, South City Hospital, Kidney Centre, Institute of Child Health, Karachi Institute of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (KIRAN), Haji Rang Elahi Eye Hospital, Tabba Cardiac Medical Center, Patel Hospital, Layton Benevolent Trust Eye Hospital, Lady Dufferin Hospital, and National Medical Centre.
As one of the most rapidly growing cities in the world, Karachi faces challenges that are central to many developing metropolises, including traffic congestion, pollution, poverty and street crime. These problems continue to earn Karachi low rankings in livability comparisons: The Economist ranked Karachi fourth least livable city amongst the 132 cities surveyed[73] and BusinessWeek ranked it 175 out of 215 in livability in 2007, down from 170 in 2006.[74]
Traffic problems and pollution are major challenges for Karachi. The level of air pollution in Karachi is estimated to be 20 times higher than World Health Organization standards.[citation needed] A number of new parks (e.g., Bagh Ibne Qasim, Beach View Park and Jheel Park) have been developed and new trees are being planted in the city to improve the environment and reduce the pollution. The construction of new bridges/flyovers, underpasses and signal-free corridors (e.g., Corridor 1: S.I.T.E. to Shahrae Faisal, Corridor 2: North Karachi to Shahrae Faisal, Corridor 3: Safora Goth to Saddar) has improved the traffic flow in Karachi. The eventual completion of Corridor 4 (from the airport to Metropole Hotel) is expected to substantially reduce the travel time to reach the city centre and airport.
Karachi has been sung in many Sindhi songs, notably the folk songs sung in Sindhi marriages, called Sehra (سهرا) and Ladda (لاڏا), such as:
آيلڙي مون ته سُئي وڃائي ڪراچيءَ جي شهر مان مون سُئي گھُرائي
sung by Zarina Baloch and
ڪراچيءَ جي شهر مان منڊيون جوڙايم سونا گل ڪراچيءَ جي موٽر ڀرجي آيا
Karachi is known for the legend of Morirro Mirbahar, whose bravery has been praised and sung by Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai in his poetry. The legend has been depicted in the Sindhi movie Ghatoo Ghar na Ayaa (Sindhi: گھاتُو گھر نه آيا).
Karachi jaa ddeeha' aee' raatioo' (Sindhi: ڪراچيءَ جا ڏينهن ۽ راتيون, English: Days and Nights of Karachi) is a novel written by Muhammad Bakhsh Johar.
| Flag | Country | City | District / Region / State | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
United States | Houston | Texas | 3 March 2009 |
 |
Mauritius | Port Louis | Port Louis District | 1 May 2007 |
 |
China | Shanghai | East China | 14 September 2009 |
 |
China | Hong Kong | Hong Kong Special Administrative Region | [citation needed] |
 |
Saudi Arabia | Jeddah | Makkah Province | |
 |
Uzbekistan | Tashkent | Tashkent Province | |
 |
Turkey | Istanbul | İstanbul Province | |
 |
Lebanon | Beirut | Beirut Governorate | |
|
Turkey | İzmir | İzmir Province | since 1985 |
|
United States | New York City | New York | 8 May 2008 |
 |
Bahrain | Manama | Capital Governorate | 28 November 2007 |
 |
Kosovo | Pristina | District of Pristina | 24 July 2008 |
 |
Malaysia | Kuala Lumpur | Federal Territory | 1 June 2008 |
|
United States | Washington, D.C. | District of Columbia | since 2008 |
A twin city partnership with Chicago, Illinois, United States, was contemplated and initiated in 2000, but was never implemented.[75]
 Millennium Mall |
|||
 Karachi Beach |
 Elphinstone Street c. 1930 |
||
 Fishing boats at the Port of Karachi |
 TechnoCity Corporate Tower |
Karachi [1](Urdu: كراچى, Sindhi: ڪراچي) capital of the province of Sindh, is the financial capital and the largest city of Pakistan. It has a metropolitan population of 11.8 million and is currently ranked 20th in the world (by population).
Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants and refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently. It is locally termed as the City of Lights, City of The Quaid, and City that Never Sleeps.
Residents and those born in the city are called "Karachiites".
Karachi is different from the rest of Pakistan in the same way that New York is different from the rest of the United States. The pace of life is more hurried; time is money, and money is life.
Located on the coast, Karachi has a relatively mild climate with low levels of precipitation (approximately 10 inches per annum), the bulk of which occurs during the July-August monsoon season. Winters are mild, and the summers are hot. The city's proximity to the sea keeps humidity levels at a near-constant high, and cool sea breezes relieve the heat of the summer months. Due to the high temperatures during the summer (ranging from 30-44°C from April to October), the winter months (November to February) are generally considered the best times to visit Karachi. July, December and January have pleasing and cloudy weather when most of the social events, ranging from weddings to charity fundraisers, frequently take place. Tourists and expatriates usually visit Karachi in these months. The highest ever recorded temperature in Karachi is 47.8 °C (118.0 °F) while the lowest is 0 °C (32 °F).
The everyday lifestyle of Karachi differs substantially from that of other cities and towns in Pakistan. Karachi's culture is characterized by the blending of Middle Eastern, Central Asian, South Asian and Western influences, as well as the city's status as a major international business center. As a whole, there is considerable diversity in culture, and this diversity has produced a unique cultural amalgam of its own type. Karachi also hosts the largest middle class stratum of the country.
Karachi is home to some of Pakistan's important cultural institutions. The National Academy of Performing Arts, located in the newly renovated Hindu Gymkhana offers a two-year diploma course in performing arts that includes classical music and contemporary theater. The All Pakistan Music Conference, linked to the 45-year old similar institution in Lahore, has been holding its Annual Music Festival since its inception in 2004. The Festival is now a well-established feature of the city life of Karachi that is awaited anxiously and attended by more than 3000 citizens of Karachi as well as people from other cities.
The National Arts Council (Koocha-e-Saqafat) also has musical performances and Mushaira (poetry recitations). The Kara Film Festival organized annually showcases independent Pakistani and international films and documentaries. Our Karachi Festival celebrates Architecture of Karachi.
Jinnah International Airport (IATA: KHI ICAO: OPKC), [9], is Karachi's largest international and domestic airport. It has connections to many other hubs such as Toronto, London, Dubai, Delhi and Singapore. It is also the hub for Pakistan International Airlines [10], Pakistan's national carrier, which flies to numerous destinations, including Lahore, Peshawar, Beijing and Tokyo. Facilities in the airport include a McDonald's, ATMs (in Arrivals), free internet (in departure), WiFi, hotels and a duty free shop that doesn't sell alcohol. Immigration used to be a lengthy process, but after a rearrangement of counters and the introduction of a green channel in 2006 this is no longer the case.
Karachi is very far from the rest of Pakistani cities, so try to come by plane only.
Daewoo Sammi [11] offers some direct services to/from Karachi, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Lahore and Islamabad, UAN 111-007-008.
First Class travel with Pakistan Railways [12] is good, and Karachi has railway connections with various major cities in Pakistan including Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Hyderabad, Rawalpindi, & Peshawar.
Karachi is a major trading hub for dhows from around the Indian Ocean. Travelers wanting to arrive in the city this way will probably need to make their own arrangements with the captain of the vessel.
Once you get the hang of traveling in Karachi, it becomes a very entertaining experience. You meet new people and get to see unexpected things. It's not very hard to find a mode of transportation and if you know what you are doing, it is very easy to get around.
The most common method of traveling in Karachi is by bus, private and Government-run, and is used by most people. For lack of space, people often sit on roof, or hang from bars, and are jam-packed inside the bus. Outsiders might be put off by the cramped conditions in the buses, and might prefer traveling in taxis.
There are three kinds of taxis in Karachi: Metro, Yellow and Black. The yellow ones are generally thought to be better than the black ones, although they charge a greater mark up.
The Metros are chains of taxis operated by different private sector companies (i.e. private version of NY's TLC). As in any nation, some of the taxi drivers overcharge "foreigners". Most of the Black and Yellow taxis don't have any meter, so you should first fix the charge and the location with the driver before getting in. The official rate per kilometer is around 7 Rupees but expect to pay around double.
There is also the so called Radio/White Cab service, which is air conditioned and can be called in at the airport or anywhere in the city. Typical cost for a full day (8 hours, 150 KM) is US$25. White Cab Tel No. +92-21-111-789-786 or within Karachi 111-789-786. Per kilometer rate is 15 Rupees plus Rs. 50 calling charges.
A new company, Metro Cabs, (Tel +92-21-111-222-787 or 111-222-787 (Karachi)) is considered highly efficient. Their taxis are usually easily available from the airport, and their rates are very reasonable, they have white corolla fleet - Per Km charges: Pak Rs. 15/= Min charges: Pak Rs. 310/= within 15 km. Others companies include Sky Cab [13] (Phone: 92-21-5677721-23) with Limousine fleets, Pak Radio Cabs (UAN: 111-732-732), Pearl Cabs (UAN: 111-725-786), Redtop Cabs (UAN: 111-733-867) - they have liana fleets, Citi Cab (021-5650581), FVG Cab (UAN: 111-126-111), Karachi Cab (UAN: 111-527-222), Sana Cabs (UAN: 111-222-787), Star Cabs (UAN: 111-567-827) - they have Lancer fleets, CallCar (UAN: 111-092-021)-Corolla Fleets and Smart Cabs (UAN: 111-000-747).
It’s easier to hire a car with driver. Pearl Radio Cab (4604465) charges Rs 1500 per day including fuel, if you’re staying in the city limits and travel less than 100km. Walji’s (5660248; 13 Services Mess, Mereweather Rd) is recommended for self-drive cars. Prices are around Rs 2400 per day (without fuel; unlimited mileage).
The following beaches are located at the outskirts of the city, and are less strict about clothing:
Dont miss the indoor kids theme parks that are located inside shopping malls, listed under Buy
Fiesta [21], Cosy [22], Samzu [23], Water world, Sunway Lagoon etc.
There are many Colonial public buildings in the City’s Saddar district, but some of the well-known buildings are:
There is much to do in Karachi; a city of more than 16 million people is unlikely to be short on activities! Simply let yourself be overwhelmed by this city, its size and scope, its heart breaking disparity between rich and poor, and its breathtaking sights and sounds. Karachi isn't just a city, it is a world unto itself!
You can shop to your heart's content, in the massive range of markets and bazaars that dot the city, or you can shop & enjoy one of the many modern shopping malls that are found across the city's more affluent sectors, namely Defence and Clifton. And don't worry too much about your budget; a recent survey by the Times newspaper (UK) found Karachi to be the second-cheapest city in the world! [28].
Karachi has a fine collection of Anglo-Indian architecture, a legacy of the British Raj, which will keep history buffs engaged. Culture vultures will find a city with many art galleries, displaying a broad spectrum of works from Asia, and some New Age works from aspiring Pakistani artists.
Medical tourism [29] is a growing industry in Karachi due to its high quality and low cost, especially in sectors like Dental treatment, Hair transplant [30], [31] , Cosmetic surgery [32], [33] and Open heart surgery.
One is spoiled for choice by the variety of sports that can be found in Karachi. Cricket can be found at every conceivable corner, from the lush grounds of the more wealthy professional clubs or elite schools to the side streets of the working class Saddar City district.
Adventure lovers can visit Go Aish Adventure park [34] on University road. Besides that, there are several fine golf courses which host international tournaments such as the Pakistan Open on the Asian circuit, a bustling race track, and a wide range of water sports - sailing (at the Karachi Yacht Club), Scuba diving [35], snorkelling, water-skiing, wind surfing, deep sea fishing which are accessible due to the City's Arabian Sea coast.
There are a lot of water parks located in the suburbs of the city near the superhighway, like Fiesta [36], Cosy [37], Samzu [38], Water world, and Sunway Lagoon. Other things you might be interested in doing is catching a movie at the Karachi Cineplex [39]. Or catch a bird's-eye view of the animals from the Chair lifts at Karachi Safari park [40] or visit The Arena, [41] a gaming arcade at Karsaz offering an ice skating rink, bowling alley, minigolf, arcade games, rock-climbing and much more or Area 51, a bowling alley.
For those who love watching the city skyline, they can visit Hill Park, an amusement park, offering a nice view of the City or Polo ground or the Revolving Restaurant [42], which offers a good view of the Central Karachi.
You can also walk along the beaches, under clear skies, which at night is an experience worth the travel alone, as visitors can gaze towards the heavens while the Arabian sea cascades over their sandalled feet. Streetlights dotting the coast of Karachi increase the beauty of the sea and surrounding areas. Most city dwellers visit other beaches at the outskirt of the city like Hawksbay, Paradise Point, Sansdpit & French Beaches. Huts are available on these far-flung beaches, where you can also fish, yacht, ride horses and camels, collect sea shells and dive! Explore the under water world, marine life and coral reefs via Scuba Diving [43]. Manora Island, next to Clifton Beach, is another breathtaking place for a picnic. Private boats are the easiest way to reach the Island; they can be hired at the marshes of the PNSC building. Manora Island also has a shrine and some hundred-year old monuments. A Riding Victoria type horse carriage from Polo ground to Clifton can be a memorable experience.
Karachi has recently been experiencing a spa boom, and there is now plenty of choice for everything from holistic Ayurveda to green tea hydrotherapy. Good spas can be found in most five-star hotels such as Avari, PC and on Zamzama Avenue.
If you have the time, and inclination to smoke, check out one of Karachi's Cigar Lounges. They stock quality international brands including authentic Cuban Cigars at Club Havana (DHA 5). Other notable lounges are Castro's and the Cigar Bar in Zamzama. These places have luxurious interiors and can give the illusion of being in a 1950's film! Note that you will have to pay a handsome sum for the pleasure of genuine Cubans! You can also try shisha at Cafe Shisha or at Indulge.
Karachi has numerous quality country clubs. If you know anyone who has membership (they are, of course, restricted) check them out.
Karachi universities are generally well-regarded and draw exchange students from near and far.
Karachi is the financial and commercial capital of the country, there are many jobs available in the financial sector such as Banking, in IT/ Media sector such as BPO, Call center etc. A part-time job can pay you as much as $450 a month for just six hours a day for five days in a week. Only good for English speaking travellers. For more [69]
There are a great number of shopping places in Karachi, ranging from the traditional bazaar to the modern shopping malls. A first-time visitor should try and visit the bazaars, The bazaars usually consist of many small vendors selling a variety of products from accessories to clothes to food and drink. In addition, there are larger stores which are more specific in their products. Also one would find that the bazaars are a more culturally enriching experience. A recent survey by the Times newspaper (UK) found Karachi to be the 2nd cheapest city in the world [70].
The Pakistani currency is the Pakistani Rupee. It is usually advised to get your foreign currency converted in local currency before you buy stuff (off course thats only applicable if you're planning to buy with cash not credit card). A number of licensed Currency Exchange Companies operate their offices located in various parts of the cities that can be used for the exchange. A passport might be required as an identification document but the requirement is often ignored. Some good repute currency exchange companies are Khanani & Kalia, and Galaxy International. Most large department stores and souvenir shops, as well as all upscale restaurants accept major credit cards. Some small shops may choose to pass on their 2-3% service free on to you should you choose to use a credit card, but this is negotiable so don't hesitate to haggle.
ATMs exist in most areas and accept major credit cards.
Some of the major shopping malls in Karachi are:
Some of the main bazaars in Karachi that deserve a visit:
There are also three underground bazaars in Karachi at Bohri Bazaar, Nazimabad chowrangi and Liaqatabad No. 10. These are just a few to mention. On the whole, shopping in Karachi is an interesting, exhilarating (because of the low prices!) and often tiring experience.
Karachi has several fantastic upscale restaurants, which serve a huge variety of cuisines. Most of the upper-end restaurants are either located within one of the major hotels in the city (the Sheraton, the Pearl Continental and Avari Towers), or in the trendy shopping district of Zamzama in Defence.
One can easily find a franchise of KFC (call: 111-KFC-KFC [111-532-532]), McDonald (call:111-244-622), Subway (call:586-8907), Papa Johns (Clifton) (call:585-3374}, Mr Cod (call:535-0746), Henny's (call:021-5867151, 5864023 9a-11p), Pizza Hut (call: 111-241-241) or Domino's (call: 111-DOMINO [111-366-466]). The beauty of the food in Karachi is that you will probably find cuisine for every taste.
The following Restaurants are very popular and should not be missed:
Drinking alcohol in public areas is nominally banned, and most of the top end hotels have their own bars. Try local brands like Murree Brewery, in addition to that there are other brands such as Budwieser and Barveria with non-alchoholic beer.
In soft drinks, try local limca cola which makes "pop" sound when opened. you can also try Pakola; Pakistan’s premier soft drink brand which is available in different flavors like Ice cream soda, Lychee, Orange, Raspberry, Apple sidra, Vino, Double cola, Bubble up etc.
Also try, Lassi which is a classic yogurt drink that is served either plain or sweet, and is sometimes flavored or even fused with fresh fruit. Rooh-Afza, a red-color-sweet-herbal drink. Sugar Cane Juice which is extracted by mechanical force, it is best when fresh. You would also love the Falouda and Gola Ganda which include various kinds of syrups in crushed ice.
If you want to drink plain water, always prefer bottled water of a good brand, it just costs Rs. 25 for a 1.5 liter bottle of Nestle water.
Excelsior, Toby's bar, Purple haze, Basement, the Casbah... Karachi's night life has become the envy of the region. Bars, nightclubs and dance halls have sprouted across the city and people have also made some places like that in their homes.In the seaview and defence area there are Sports car and bike races too.
There are thousands of less expensive hotels and dorms to sleep in. For $30 USD/night you can get a very decent room, with private bathroom, cable TV and air conditioning. As in any place, you get what you pay for.
Image:Http://www.hotelcrowninn.com/phototour/dsc 0998.jpg
The area code for Karachi is 21. Prefix +92 If you are calling from outside Pakistan. Phone numbers are seven digits long. All mobile numbers, however are 11 digits long and begin with "03", and should not be dialled with the city prefix. Omit the '0' when dialing a cell phone from outside Pakistan and prefix the '92' code.
Public Call Offices can be found all over the city. You will find a PCO in nearly 50% of the general stores , there is usually someone who operates the phone and fax. Fees will be charged according to the time spent, and you will pay when you have finished your call.
Cybercafes can be found on virtually every street corner and the rates are as low as Rs.15-20 per hour. They usually don't have a very fast operating system so don't be too impatient. They usually use 14" monitors, Windows 2000, Windows 98, Windows XP are usually installed on these operating systems. Most of the cafes have a decent speed internet connection.
Internet Access can be obtained easily on notebook computers with the help of GRPS enabled mobile connections, supported by almost all of the 5 mobile operators. Mobilink provides EDGE based connection in very limited areas of Karachi, however Telenor's coverage of EDGE is wider. The standard cost of GPRS/EDGE usage is Rs.15 - Rs18/MB data transfer but Zong offers Rs.15/hour, however if you wish to download much more you may want to use unlimited packages, provided only by Mobilink and Telenor at this time. World Call offers USB internet.
Wi-Fi There are several WiFi Hotspots in Karachi in Hotels, Malls,and Cafes/Resturants. If you are in a business district like Shahra-e-Faisal or I.I.Chundrigar Road, then most of the area will have free WiFi.
Cell phone coverage in the city is pretty good. Cell phones were considered as a symbol of status a few years ago, but since 2002 the telecommunications industry has experienced a bit of a boom. These days you can hardly find a single person in the city without a personal cell phone. There are various service providers offering a huge variety of plans. Among them are Mobilink, Warid Telecom, Telenor, Ufone & Zong (China Mobile). Its not a bad idea to buy a cell phone and use a prepaid plan to get yourself connected while you are in the city. The mobile phones and the prepaid plans are very cheap; you can usually get a new cheap cell phone just for Rs. 2000 ($34) and a prepaid connection for Rs. 150 to 400 ($2.5-$7)
Street crime in Karachi is about what you'd expect from a big city. Use common sense and avoid dangerous areas. Avoid going out alone, or walking by yourself on dark, empty streets. Never flash electronics or valuables in public; keep your cell phones, watches, and purses in a safe place. These things easily attract attention. There are also con men looking out for foreigners, so if someone you don't trust approaches you, just keep on walking. Beware of pickpockets when you are in any crowded areas.
If you are planning to see colonial public buildings, especially those that are located on MA Jinnah road or Preedy street, try to see them at late evening, after 10pm or at early morning, before 7am because traffic in those streets are a nightmare during the day time.
The people of Karachi are very hospitable. They tend to welcome any foreigner very warmly, but regardless of how nice someone seems you should remain aware and alert at all times.
You should always keep the emergency telephone contact numbers of your country's foreign embassy in Karachi. The security situation in Pakistan has affected Karachi but not as much as Islamabad or Lahore.Still,do watch out near hotels etc.
There should be no serious danger in the affluent parts of the city. Defence, Clifton, and Bahadurabad are regarded as safe at all times, as they are populated by the city's business and cultural elite. These districts offer the most "tourist-friendly" experience of Karachi, given that there will be no language barrier (most Pakistanis can speak some English, and many people in these districts will be completely fluent), and one will find a large degree of cultural understanding and compatibility between the residents and western tourists.
Aga Khan Hospital is by far the best private hospital in the city, with world class medical care at an affordable cost. The free-government hospitals, however, aren't up to par with what Westerners may be used to.
Traffic jams are a major hassle in Karachi. Although the city government has recently built dozens of underpasses and flyovers to get rid of the overflow of the traffic, it is a good idea to keep a look for any rallies/protests and check out alternate routes while traveling in the city.
| This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow! |
Category: Usable articles
KARACHI, or Kurrachee, a seaport and district of British India, in the Sind province of Bombay. The city is situated at the extreme western end of the Indus delta, Soo m. by sea from Bombay and 820 m. by rail from Lahore, being the maritime terminus of the North-Western railway, and the main gateway for the trade of the Punjab and part of central Asia. It is also the capital of the province of Sind. Pop. (1881), 73,500; (1891), 105,199; (1901), 115,407. Before 1725 no town appears to have existed here; but about that time some little trade began to centre upon the convenient harbour, and the silting up of Shahbandar, the ancient port of Sind, shortly afterwards drove much of its former trade and population to the rising village. Under the Kalhora princes, the khan of Kalat obtained a grant of the town, but in 1795 it was captured by the Talpur Mirs, who built the fort at Manora, at the entrance to the harbour. They also made considerable efforts to increase the trade of the port and at the time of the British acquisition of the province the town and suburbs contained a population of 14,000. This was in 1843, from which time the importance of the place practically dates.
The harbour of Karachi has an extreme length and breadth of about 5 m. It is protected by the promontory of Manora Head; and the entrance is partially closed by rocks and by the peninsula (formerly an island) of Kiamari. On Manora Head, which is fortified, are the buildings of the port establishment, a cantonment, &c. Kiamari is the landing-place for passengers and goods, and has three piers and railway connexions. The harbour improvements were begun in 1854 with the building of the Napier Mole or causeway connecting Kiamari with the mainland. The entrance has a minimum depth of 25 ft.; and a large number of improvements and extensions have been carried out by the harbour board, which was created in 1880, and transformed in 1886 into the port trust.
The great extension of the canal colonies in the Punjab, entirely devoted to the cultivation of wheat, has immensely increased the export trade of Karachi. It now ranks as the third port of India, being surpassed only by Calcutta and Bombay. The principal articles of export, besides wheat, are oilseeds, cotton, wool, hides and bones. The annual value of exports, including specie, amounts to about nine millions sterling. There are iron works and manufactures of cotton cloth, silk scarves and carpets. The fisheries and oyster beds are important.
Among the principal public buildings are government house, the Frere municipal hall, and the Napier barracks. The military cantonments, stretching north-east of the city, form the headquarters of a brigade in the 4th division of the southern army. An excellent water supply is provided by an underground aqueduct 18 m. in length. The chief educational institutions are the Dayaram Jethmal Arts College, with a law class; five high schools, of which two are for Europeans and one for Mahommedans; a convent school for girls; and an engineering class. The average rainfall for the year is about 5 in. The rainy months are July and August, but one or two heavy showers usually fall about Christmas. The end of May, beginning of June, and first fortnight in October are hot. November, December, January, February and March are delightfully cool and dry; the remaining months are damp with a constant cool sea breeze.
The District Of Karachi has an area of 11,970 sq. m. Pop. (1901), 607,439, showing an increase of 6% in the decade. It consists of an immense tract of land stretching from the mouth of the Indus to the Baluch boundary. It differs in general appearance from the rest of Sind, having a rugged, mountainous region along its western border. The country gradually slopes away to the south-east, till in the extreme south the Indus delta presents a broad expanse of low, flat and unpicturesque alluvium. Besides the Indus and its mouths, the only river in the district is the Hab, forming the boundary between Sind and Baluchistan. The Manchhar lake in Sehwan sub-division forms the only considerable sheet of water in Sind. The hot springs at Pir Mangho are 6 m. N. of Karachi town. The principal crops are rice, millets, oil-seeds and wheat. In addition to Karachi, there are seaports at Sirgonda and Keti Bandar, which conduct a considerable coasting trade. Tatta was the old capital of Sind. Kotri is an important railway station on the Indus. The main line of the North-Western railway runs through the district. From Kotri downwards the line has been doubled to Karachi, and at Kotri a bridge has been constructed across the Indus opposite Hyderabad, to connect with the Rajputana railway system.
See A. F. Baillie, Kurrachee: Past, Present and Future (1890).
|
<< Kapurthala |
Karageorge >> |
Contents |
Karachi
|
|
   | Karachi City-District Government - City District Government Karachi |
| | "Welcome to National Academy of Performing Arts" - National Academy of Performing Arts |
| | Website for Karachiites - Apnakarachi.com Its all about Karachi Pakistan |
| | "Comments in support of Naimatullah Khan" - World Mayor: Commenting on Naimatullah Khan - Mayor of Karachi |
| | Karachi Stock Exchange - The Karachi Stock Exchange |
| | "Karachi turning into a ghetto" - DAWN - Letters; January 16, 2006 |
| | "KPT to build Rs20bn tower complex" - KARACHI: KPT to build Rs20bn tower complex -DAWN - Local; 12 October, 2004 |
| | "Mustafa Kamal announces city reinforcement projects" - KARACHI: Rs1.7bn projects for Karachi announced: City Council meets -DAWN - Local; January 20, 2006 |
| | Karachi: Step-motherly treatment - KARACHI: Step-Motherly treatment? |
| | World Bank report: Karachi termed most business-friendly - World Bank report: Karachi termed most business-friendly -DAWN - Business; February 14, 2007 |
| | "Land as an Issue" - Urban Resource Centre |
| | "Where grass is Greener" - Liveability | Where the grass is greener | Economist.com |
| | World: metropolitan areas - World Gazetteer: World - largest cities (per geographical entity) |
| | Karachi Information Portal - KARACHI.WS: The Information Portal |
| | Jinnah International Airport - Welcome to Jinnah International Karachi |
| | The Official KaraFilm Festival website - 8th KaraFilm Festival - Karachi International Film Festival 2010 |
| | Karachi: Sister-city accord with Port Louis - KARACHI: Sister-city accord with Port Louis -DAWN - Local; May 01, 2007 |
| | Pakistan: After the Crash - Pakistan: After the Crash |
| | Industrial Zones In Pakistan - PAKISTAN, FPCCI, CHAMBERS, COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, ASSOCIATIONS, BUSINESSES, TRADES, TEXTILES, YARN, COTTON, BUY, SELL, SALE, DISCUSSION, FORUM, AUCTION, ENTER-TECH, FABRICS, T-SHIRTS, GARMENTS, TROUSERS, MACHINERY, MACHINERIES, INDUSTRIES, CHEMICALS, HANDICR |
| | Karachi Expo Center - Karachi Expo Center : Trade Development Authority of Pakistan |
| | Pakistan agrees $43bn development - BBC NEWS | Business | Pakistan agrees $43bn development |
| | City Towns (all Towns and Union Councils - City Towns (all Towns and Union Councils) |
| | Federal Bureau of Statistics - List of Field offices - Federal Bureau of Statistics |
| | Lyari Expressway: woes of displaced families - DAWN - Features; August 8, 2002 |
| | Pakistan Automotives Report Q1 2007 - Pakistan Automotives Report Q1 2007: Industry Report |
| | About Karachi on itsPakistan - itsPakistan - Pakistan - Karachi |
| | Business Week, Karachi Livable Cities Guide - World's Top 100 Most Livable Cities |
| | Urban Resource Centre, Karachi - Urban Resource Centre |
| | Sindh share in GDP falls by 1pc - Sindh share in GDP falls by 1pc -DAWN - Business; 02 December, 2004 |
| | Ansar Burney Trust - Ansar Burney Trust - Human and Civil Rights Organisation |
| | Town Municipal Administration, Sindh - New Page of Local Government Department Sindh. |
| | Street Photography from around Karachi - The Organic brew; pakistan, photography, qawwali, poetry & a general acerbic sentiment. | Tujhe hum vali samjh te.. |
| | 4x4 Offroaders Club Karachi - 4x4 Offroaders Club Karachi |
| | " Mustafa Kamal to take oath on 17th" - Article from 14th October 2005 - Local Bodies Polls 2005 |
| | Picture Page on Pakistan - Picture Page on Pakistan |
| | Karachi and Pakistani News - Karachi - Local Travel Information and City Guide |
| | Islamic Multimedia Library - Urdu Islamic Website | Naats, MP3 Naat, Urdu Quran, Tafseer, Bayans, Islamic Lectures, Maulana Tariq Jameel, Punjabi Naat, Books | |
| | Karachi among world 12 mega cities - DhartiPakistan - Pakistani News blog » Relaunch Soon |
| | Photo collection of Karachi - Flickr: Ali Adnan Qazalbash's Photostream |
| | Karachi Photo Album - Flickr: Ali Adnan Qazalbash's Photostream |
| | Classifieds for Karachiites - Classified ads for Pakistan : Karachi |
| | Karachi The Largest City Of Pakistan - visit.pakistanway.com |
| | About Pakistan & Karachi - PakistanWay.com - Pakistan Entertainment Portal, Watch Videos, Download Desi Music MP3, Read Urdu Poetry, Pakistan Jobs, Pakistan Elections, Wallpapers Desi Cooking |
| | Karachi Stock Exchange Building - International Stock Exchange and Forex Rating Guide |
| | Images of Karachi - Pakistan: Karachi - photos of Karachi on Worldisround |
| | Danka - Karachi's Cultural Events Calendar - Danka Karachi ~ Cultural Events Guide |
|
|
Search
