Violence in Karachi — Who Owns Karachi??

City of Lights

Karachi is a metropolitan city. people from almost every major creed and religion live here. Karachi is the 19th largest city in the world. to my information it is also bigger than 3 countries and five times bigger than Singapore. It is known locally by many names such as “The City of Lights” (روشنیوں کا شہر) “City of Quaid” and “Bride of the Cities” (عروس البلاد). Karachi is ranked 3rd among the most populated cities after Shangahi and Mumbai. Thank heavens it hasn’t made to the top list of most dangerous cities of the world yet.

Karachi has a chequered history of law and order. We all know that. Major problem with a city like Karachi is no one  (political elite) is willing to own Karachi beyond the slogans. Everyone is all time ready to raise slogans like “Hamara Karachi, I Own Karachi, My Karachi, We Own Karachi” but no one has really stepped up to rescue this metropolitan city form violent groups. Only blame games are being played. They know if not today, yesterday will be theirs in power and thats why peace or no peace to this gloriously diverse city is immaterial to them. I was being asked by many to write on Karachi, but I was declining till this moment just because I didn’t want to join the wordy bandwagon of ”Hamara Karachi, I Own Karachi, My Karachi, We Own Karachi”. Today I came across a beautiful piece of poetry that reminded me of Karachi and poor Karachiites. It from the heart of some bleeding Pakistani and Karachiite. I want to share it on the blogosphere.

Jo Al’lum Guzar Rahay Hain, Meary Shehar Jal Rahay Hain, Meary Log Mar Rahay Hain, Koi Aur Tau Nahi Hai, Pss-e-Khanjar Azmai, Hami Qatal Kar Rahay Hain, Hami Qatal Ho Rahay Hain.

Another poet expresses his grief in the following words.

Ab KAhan Wo Eesaar o Akhuv’vat Madinay Jaisi?, Ab Tau Musalman Ko Musalman Sy Dar Lgta Hai.

But all these grievances and groveling fell flat on these politicians and bureaucrats in power. It seems these politicians have either become senseless, deaf and dumb or they are abetting equally in this heinous game of bloodshed. The people of Karachi are also equally responsible of their state of misery. In the words a poet;

Humain Kahbar Hai Lutairon Kay Sab Thikano Ki, Shareek e Jurm Na Hotay tau Mukhbari Krtay.

Cross Posted @ MEY

See My Karachi With My Eyes

Karachi started as a small fishing village called Mai KOLACHI. With the annexation of Sindhh by the British in 1843 it changed into a town. Its naturally protected harbour and moderate climate made it a summer resort for Sindh. It was reputed to be the cleanest city of the sub-continent till 1947 with a population of 200,000. Karachi was transformed into an unmanageably big city with the establishment of Pakistan. It was the first capital of the federation from 1947 to 1960 before Islamabad was built. Being a port city millions of refugees from all over India streamed in here and gave it an unprecedented vitality and multicultural dimension. Today, its population exceeds 13 million. The main attractions of Karachi are the sea, the shopping and some fine specimen of Victorian architecture and modern buildings and international cuisine.

Karachi is the economic and commercial capital of Pakistan and an important regional port. It is located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, northwest of the Indus River delta. Karachi accounts for the largest share of Pakistan's gross domestic product and generates about 65% of the national revenue. Karachi claims the highest per capita income in South Asia and is the nucleus of regional business and technological activities. The city has one of the highest literacy rates in Pakistan and is the home of several important academic and research institutions.

Map of Karachi

 

Some basic facts about Karachi :

Province	Sindh
Location	24°51′36″N, 67°00′36″E
Altitude	8 meters AMSL
Area	3,527 km²
Density	3,394 persons/km²
Calling code	021
Time zone	PST +05:00 ahead of GMT
No. of Towns	18
No. of Union Councils	178
City Mayor (Nazim)	Syed Mustafa Kamal
Population
Census (1998)	9,339,023
Estimate (2006)	11,969,284

Geography and climate

Karachi is located in southern Pakistan in the north of Arabian Sea. Physically it is mostly comprises flat or rolling plains with hills on the western and northern boundaries of the urban sprawl. Two rivers pass through the city: the Malir River ( north east to centre) and the Lyari River ( north to south). The Karachi Harbour is a protected bay to the south west of the city. The southern limit of the city is the Arabian Sea and forms a chain of warm water beaches that are rich in natural beauty.
Karachi is located on the coast and as a result has a relatively mild climate. The level of precipitation is low for most of the year. However, due to the city's proximity to the sea, humidity levels usually remain high throughout the year. The city enjoys mild winters and hot summers. Since summer temperatures are quite high (the end of April through the end of August are approximately 35 to 40 degrees Celsius), the winter months (November through March) are the best time to visit Karachi.  

Demographics

Currently Karachi population is believed to between 14 and 15 millions. The linguistic distribution of the city in 1998 census is: Urdu speaking 48.52%; Punjabi 13.94%; Sindhi 7.22%; Pashto 11.42%; Balochi4.34%; Seraiki2.11%; others 12.4%. The others include Gujarati, Dawoodi Bohra, Memon, Brahui, Makrani, Khowar, Burushaski, Arabic, Persian and Bengali. The religious breakup of the city is as follows: Muslim 96.49%; Christian 2.35%; Hindu0.83%; Qadiani 0.17%; others 0.13%. The others include Parsi, Jews and Buddhist

Government and administrative division:

Karachi is divided into 18 towns and 1 78 union councils. While Defence Housing Authority is neither a town of Karachi nor a part of any town; and it is managed and operated by the Pakistan Army. 

Administrative towns :

Baldia Town	Bin Qasim Town	Gadap Town
Gulberg Town	Gulshan Town	Kiamari Town
Korangi Town	Jamshed Town	Landhi Town
Liaquatabad Town	Lyari Town	New Karachi Town
North Nazimabad Town	Malir Town	Orangi Town
Saddar Town	Shah Faisal Town	SITE Town

Source: findpk.com

History Of Karachi

Karachi 'The City of Lights' started its life as a small fishing settlement by the Indus Delta known as Kolachi-jo-Kun (the ditch of Kolachi), named after an old fisherwoman, Mai Kolachee who took up settlement here.
In time, the settlement grew into a small fishing village and came to be known as Kolachi-jo-Goth or, the village of Kolachee. This small fishing village gradually started trading activities by sea with Muscat and Bahrai
Talpur rulers of Sindh overthrew the Kalhoras and took back the control of the village. The Talpura Amirs erected a small fort at Manora near the village, which had some cannons brought in from Muscat. The fort had two doorways: one facing the sea known as Khaara Darwaaza (Brackish gate) and the other facing the Lyari river known as Meetha Darwaaza (Sweet gate).

 

On 3rd February, the fort at Kolachi had surrendered without firing a single shot and this small fishing village crossed a turning point in its life. Three years later in 1843, upon the annexation of Sindh into the British empire, the regional capital was transferred from Hyderabad to Karachi by Charles Napier, the first governor of Sindh. The British made the town an Army Headquarters and military cantonments were established outside the town limits. A municipal committee was formed to provide basic facilities and municipal limits were expanded to 74 square miles to allow for expansion, even though the town occupied only 4 square miles. 

source:
http://www.apnakarachi.com