The Karachi that was — and will never be

[Cherokee]

So in a way Islamabad is better than Karachi now ?

Islamabad is a cleaner , greener and better built city but "Jinne karachi nae dekha unne jamya nae( or whatever)"

 

[BelligerentPacifist]

...

The man who in my view destroyed Karachi by instigating ethno-linguistic hatred that have resulted in the MQM and the JSQM and gansgbanging by all political parties there, apart from destroying Pakistan by intitutionalizing government by the military, putting us on a collision course with India and giving us the first taste of using non-state actors.

 

[mjnaushad]

Islamabad is a cleaner , greener and better built city but "Jinne karachi nae dekha unne jamya nae( or whatever)"

Its lahore.......

 

[Cherokee]

Its lahore.......

Yeah along with Lahore lahore ey

 

[third eye]

karachi could have been the linking gateway of the East and West, like Dubai is now.

But oh well.....life moves on.

Karachi was the linking point.

For aircraft along the London - Aus route.

As I read you all exchange reminiscences, one feels nostalgic for Indian cities too. In the article at post No 1 one could easily replace Karachi for any Indian metro sans the fundamentalists.

Back to the topic, so long as the young feel this way, there is hope to bring a change.

 

[Samlee]

The man who in my view destroyed Karachi by instigating ethno-linguistic hatred that have resulted in the MQM and the JSQM and gansgbanging by all political parties there, apart from destroying Pakistan by intitutionalizing government by the military, putting us on a collision course with India and giving us the first taste of using non-state actors.

I Am Not Saying That He Was An Angel Or There Were No Issues During His Reign.There Were Indeed Some Serious Issues.But Pakistan Was Much Better During His Days

 

[BelligerentPacifist]

Pakistan was better in PM's days, and better still in NS's and better still in ZAB's...and better than them all in the early years.

 

[Meengla]

In my last trip to Karachi in late 2011 I got a sense of a still vibrant city: big on philanthropy, entertainment, culinary delights, educational opportunities. Kids--including young women--out in malls like Dolmen Mall in relatively conservative places like N. Nazimabad. Even the booze-scene was flexible.
To make Karachi another 'normal' 3rd world must-visit city boils down to curbing crimes--especially robberies for cell phones/wallets. They are currently way too rampant and way too aggressive.

 

[FaujHistorian]

No point in blaming long dead people like Ayub, Bhattoo, or Zia beyond what they really deserve. while doing so, let's look at the present and future too.

Karachi has a GREAT potential. In 3-5 years it can be the next Dubai.

If (And it is a big if) we as a denizens of this megapolis mend our ways. And try to be the true blue port citizens like any major port city of the world.

At present, Karachi is dominated by three forms of land-locked tribal cultures and as we all know such tribal cultures are the very opposite of the port-city culture.

So what are the three land-locked tribal cultures.

1. the most dominant - Bihari land-locked tribal culture
2. the second dominant - Pashtoon land-locked tribal culture
3. the third dominant - Panjabi land-locked tribal culture

If you look at the political scene of this wonderful city, you will see Lallu parsad aka Altaf as the ruler-for-life dictator who wins seats in elections. This Khabees party has made many parts of Karachi as ditto copy of Patna or big cities of Indian BIMARU states.

If you look at the cultural scene, it is dominated by Islamists tribals the likes of Khalifa-tul-Islam Mullah omer or some other maulana. these Ullu maulvis have turned parts of Karachi as a copy of Miran shah.

If you look at the law-enforcement scene, it is dominated by big-bellied hawildars from Punjab. These fatsos have forgotten their loyalty to the city and turned this city into a copy of south panjabi village.


The three diseases aka tribal cultures have sapped Karachi from vigor and economic activity that is the hallmark of example cities like New York, London, Dubai etc.

And instead we have turned this place into sectarian dogs infested Beirut and chor dakus international pirates like Mogadishu.

So what makes a port city vibrant?

Private businesses, trade, tourism, easy going and open attitude of its residents, beaches, hotels, bars and restaurants, shopping and factories, cultural events, and lots and lots of foreigners coming in and visiting.

What makes Karachi a less than port city?

Us Karachi-ites fighting for government khota oops quota system.
imposing Sunni and Shia Islam
burning down KFCs at the behest of Iranian Ayatullahs
murdering Shias and Ahmadis at the behest of Saudi Moooolahs.
Stopping businesses from serving foreign tourists the foods they would like (not everyone is here to eat chicken curry)
anti-globalist commie attitude that pretty much drives our hate for Americans and the West.

The day majority areas of Karachi do away with tribal attitudes, Karachi will easily surpass other mega cities. We have unlimitted supply of labor from up North. Heck these people made Dubai charging 4 times the labor rate. We can build our city with far less money. if we have the will.

And will we have soon. Pakistan Painda-baad.


peace.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Well Karachi , is a vital city for Pakistan , since its the major city close to port

Ideally the vision of Karachi I have is this

a) Cruise Liner , taking tourist from the Karachi Port to Dubai, Kuwait , and the Iran and Gwadar
b) A Metro & Train System with cheap tickets
c) Clean up operation of city , no graffiti allowed
d) Project Green Grass - to promote growth of grass as its done in California or Arizona
e) Removal of Residential Homes in highly congested areas and creation of Condos
f) Helicopter Police , similar to how its done in Miami large Metro cites
g) Ban on Motor Cycles , emphasis on travel by Train and Metro
h) Ban on Ethnic violence /speeches in public 2 years prison term
i) Creation of largest Libraries in Asia
j) Designated hours for Operation of Turks in Karachi Streets
k) Limit on Bus operating on Roads
L) Creation of 100% Solar City Zone first in Pakistan all businesses run on solar energy
M) Creation of Sports City in 4 corners of city sports complex (Tennis , Squash , Badmenton, Archery , Karate -Judo, Swimming)
N) Ban on Animals on Streets of Karachi (Donkey Carts, Horse carts etc unless License is approved for certain historical locations)
O) Astronomy Center for Observing Stars
P) Picnic Rental Homes coastal areas

This is a Karachi that Pakistan should aim for ...

This is ideal status for Crown Jewel city in Pakistan

Its more then enough that Qaid e Azam's resting place is Karachi so it has to be number one

 

[third eye]

When the British seized Karachi in 1839, it had about 10,000 inhabitants.

Fifty years later it had grown to over 150,000 inhabitants. Situated on top of the Indus river delta, it became the port of choice for produce flowing in and out of Sindh, Baluchistan and the newly irrigated lands of the Punjab. In 1932, with the opening of the Sukkur Barrage in northern Sindh, the city again grew enormously

 

[Samlee]

The man who in my view destroyed Karachi by instigating ethno-linguistic hatred that have resulted in the MQM and the JSQM and gansgbanging by all political parties there, apart from destroying Pakistan by intitutionalizing government by the military, putting us on a collision course with India and giving us the first taste of using non-state actors.

BTW JSQM was Formed in 1972 and MQM in 1978 Way After Ayub Khan Was Long Gone

 

[Developereo]

We need to differentiate between wanting a clean, lawful society and just pining for British culture. The worth and vibrancy of a city is not measured by how easily you can find tobacco, booze and hookers. The flip side of that "bright" picture is dark alleys lined with drunks, addicts and prostitutes.

Most of the problems described in the OP are the result of population growth. The exact same narrative is heard around the world when small towns grow up into big urban metropolises. The main problem with Karachi is not religion, but ethnic gangs and lack of governance.

 

[Areesh]

We need to differentiate between wanting a clean, lawful society and just pining for British culture. The worth and vibrancy of a city is not measured by how easily you can find tobacco, booze and hookers. The flip side of that "bright" picture is dark alleys lined with drunks, addicts and prostitutes.

Well said Developereo.

 

[ice_man]

i was not even born in 60s or 70s but i have heard amazing stories about trams(which i don't know why they removed)!!!!

heard amazing stories how simple and peaceful life was in Karachi. and there was no ethnic tension in karachi infact all over pakistan.

people were just people happy with each other living a simple life.


however, NOW Pakistan has become extreme in everything! we have ULTRA EXTREME FANATICs and ULTRA Liberals! the middle class is decreasing and no one is safe.


sad sad demise of our city & our country!! and currently the new generation is waking up with the same venom of HATE