Karachi (كراچى) is the largest city in Pakistan and the capital of the province of Sindh. Karachi is the financial and commercial hub of Pakistan. The city is located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, northwest of the mouths of the Indus River. With a population of approximately 16 million (unofficial figures; the official count is in the 13 million range), Karachi is the third most populous city in the world.
Location of Karachi in Pakistan
Mizar-e-Quaid, Karachi
LocationKarachi, located at latitude 24° 52´ N and longitude 67° 03´ E, is nicknamed The City of Lights in Pakistan. In a short span of 150 years, Karachi has transformed itself from a small coastal village into a megapolitan city harbouring a diverse mix of regional cultures. It is the business and technological hub of Pakistan and has the highest literacy rate and the most prestigious educational institutions in the country. The Arabian Sea lies to the south, and the Malir and Indus Rivers to the east of the city. The Lyari River runs through the city's northern areas.
GeographyThe city occupies an area of over 923 km² and is expanding. Karachi is mostly made up of 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 Liyari River (north to south). Many other smaller rivers pass through the city as well with general drainage being from the western and northern areas towards the south. The Karachi Harbour is a protected bay to the south west of the city. The harbour is protected from storms by Keamari Island, Manora Island and Oyster Rocks, which together block the greater part of the harbour entrance in the west. The southern limit of the city is the Arabian Sea and forms a chain of warm water beaches that are rich in natural beauty.
Province
Sindh
Location - Longitude - Latitude - Altitude
67° 03´ East24° 48´ North4m — 24m AMSL
Area
923 km²
Population - City (1998 census) - Metropolis (1998 census) - Unofficial source (2005) - Rank
9.2 million10.2 millionover 14 million1st in country
ClimateKarachi 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 warm summers. Karachi also receives the tail end of the monsoon rains. Since summer temperatures (the end of April through the end of August are approximately 30 to 35 degrees Celsius), the winter months (November through March) are the best time to visit Karachi. The month of July generally observes annual monsoon rainfall. December, which is the most popular month for social events such as weddings, fundraisers and charity balls, is frequently the time when most visitors, tourists and expatriates come to Karachi.
HistoryThe area that now consists of Karachi was originally a group of small villages including Kalachi-jo-Kun, or just Kolachi, and the fort of Manora. Any history of Karachi prior to the 19th century is sketchy. It is said that the city called Krokola from which one of Alexander the Great's admirals sailed at the end of his conquests was the same as Karachi. When Muhammad bin Qasim came to India in the year 712 he captured the city of Debul. It has been said that Debal was the ancestral village of present day Karachi. However, this has neither been proven or disproven.
An old image of Clifton Karachi
It was in 1729 that Kolachi-jo-Goth was transformed from a fishing village to a trading post when it was selected as a port for trade with Muscat and Bahrain. In the following years a fort was built and cannons brought in from Muscat were mounted on it. The fort had two doorways, one facing the sea called the Khara Dar or Brackish Gate and one facing the River Lyari called the Meetha Dar or Sweet Gate. Currently, the site of those gates corresponds to the location of the neighbourhoods of Kharadar and Meethadar. In 1795 the city passed from the Khan of Kalat to the Talpur rulers of Sindh.
Ferrier Hall, a beautiful structure in Karachi, built during British Raj Karachi gained in position as port which led to its importance being recognised by the British, and consequently led to the conquering of the town on the 3rd of February 1839. Three years later, it was annexed into British India as a district. The British recognized the importance of Karachi as a natural harbor and port for the produce of the Indus basin, and the city was rapidly developed into a bustling port city. A famous quote about Karachi attributed to Charles Napier is Would that I could come again to see you in your grandeur!. Napier's quote proved almost prophetic as it was under the British raj that Karachi would grow rapily as its harbour was developed. When the Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar declared the War of Independence in 1857, the 21st Native Infantry stationed in Karachi declared allegiance to the Emperor and joined the cause of the War on the 10th of September 1857. The uprising though, was defeated by the British who were able to quickly reassert their control over Karachi.
In 1876, the founder of Pakistan Muhammed Ali Jinnah was born in the city, and he would later be buried there.
By this time Karachi was a developed city with railroads, churches, paved streets, courts and many commercial centres as well as a magnificent harbour built by the British. Many of the buildings were built in classical British colonial style, contrasting significantly with the "Mughal Gothic" of Lahore. Many of these old buildings exist today and provide interesting destinations for visitors.Karachi continued to grow in size as well as importance due to its position as a major port. A railroad connected Karachi to the rest of British India in the 1880s. Population grew from 73,500 (1881), to 105,199 (1891), to 115,407 (1901) (Britannica 1911 ed.). In 1899 Karachi was said to be the largest wheat exporting port in the East (Feldman 1970:57). In 1911 when the capital was shifted to Delhi, Karachi became closer to being a Gateway to India. Karachi was declared the capital of the newly formed Sindh province in 1936, chosen over the traditional capital of Hyderabad.
A mosque in Defence, Karachi
The Saint Patrick's Cathedral
In 1947, Karachi was made the capital of the new nation of Pakistan. At that time Karachi was a city of only 400,000 people, and its growth accelerated as a result of its new status. Being the capital, Karachi became a focal point for the new nation and this added to its status as a cultural centre in this part of the world. Although the capital later moved to Rawalpindi and then Islamabad, Karachi remains the economic centre of Pakistan, accounting for a large portion of the GDP of the country and a large chunk of the nation's white collar workers. In the 1990s, Karachi was wracked with sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni of madrassas. Besides this, Muhajir experienced strife with Punjabi and Pathan comuninities in 80s and late 90s. Military administration was imposed to rescue the city from the throes of civil war. Thousands of people were killed during 1992 military operation, and as result soco-economic activities gravely suffered.
In the last 20 years, Karachi has continued to grow, passing the ten million mark. The current economic boom in Pakistan has created a sudden growth spurt in Karachi as jobs and infrastructure projects are increasing with time.
Government and Administrative DivisionIn order to decentralize the political, administrative and financial resources and responsibilities, the government of Pakistan designed a new devolution plan in 2000. The Local Government Plan 2000 and the Local Government Ordinance 2001 provided the legal roadmap to the aforesaid system that allow public participation in decision-making up to the grass-root level.According to this plan, Karachi has a three-tier federated system, formed by:
City District Government (CDG)
Town Municipal Administration
Union Council Administration
The CDG of Karachi is divided into 18 zones or towns. These towns are governed by the town municipal administration. Each town administration is responsible for infrastructure and spatial planning, development facilitation, and municipal services (water, sanitation, solid waste, repairing roads, parks, street lights, and traffic engineering) in a town, except those functions which are retained within the CDG.Eighteen towns of CDG Karachi are sub-divided into 178 stratum that form the union council administration. A union council (UC) is the core element of the local government system. Each UC is a body of 13 directly elected members, consisting of the UC Nazim (mayor), UC Naib Nazim (deputy mayor), labour and minority councillors. 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.In the local body elections of 2005, Syed Mustafa Kamal (backed by the MQM) was elected City Nazim of Karachi. He succeeds Naimatullah Khan (of the Jamaat-e-Islami). He took oath on October 17, 2005 at Bagh-e-Jinnah, Karachi. Mustafa Kamal was the provincial minister for information technology in Sindh before assuming office as the city's mayor. His predecessor, Naimatullah Khan was chosen as one of the best mayors of 2004-05 in Asia.
List of Towns in CDG Karachi
BaldiaBin Qasim
CliftonDHA
Gadap
Gulberg
Gulshan
Jamshed
KDA
Kemari
KorangiLandhi
Liaquatabad
Lyari
Malir
New Karachi
North Nazimabad
PECHS
Orangi
Saddar
Shah Faisal
SITE
DemographicsThe population and demographic distribution of Karachi during last 150 years have greatly changed.
Historical populations
Censusyear
Population
1856 ,56,875
1872 ,56,753
1881 ,73,560
1891 ,105,199
1901 ,136,297
1911 ,186,771
1921 ,244,162
1931 ,300,799
1941 ,435,887
1951 ,1,068,459
1961 ,1,912,598
1972 ,3,426,310
1981 ,5,208,132
1998 9,269,265
2005 (estimated) 14 mn.
Non governmental and international sources report that Karachi's current population is estimated to be 14 to 15 million — a thirty-seven-fold increase over its population in 1947 (400,000). The city's population is currently growing at about 5% per year (mainly on account of rural-urban internal migration). Currently, Karachi is counted as one of the largest megacities of the world.Karachi has been bearing over one million Aghan refugees since Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. On the other hand, hundred of thousands of illegal Bengali immigrants are also settled in Karachi. They form a significant part of slum areas in Karachi.The breakup of Karachi's population is as follows: Males form 53.7% of Karachiites. 37.6% of which are under the age of 15. 4.4% are older than 50. 22.1% of the city's population are migrants from other places.According to 1998 census the linguistic breakup of the city is as follows. Urdu 48.52%; Punjabi 13.94%; Sindhi 7.22%; Pushto 11.42%; Balochi 4.34%; Seraiki 2.11%; Others 12.4%. The others include Gujarati, Memon, Brahui, Makrani, Khowar, Burushaski Irani and Bengali.According to the census the religious breakup of the city is as follows. Muslim 96.49%; Christian 2.35%; Hindu 0.83%; Ahmadi 0.17%; Others 0.13%. The others include Parsi, Zikri and Buddhist.
Economy
II Chundrigar Road Karachi is the financial capital of Pakistan. It accounts for the lion's share of Pakistan's GDP and generates 65 percent of the national revenues. Most of the public and private banks have their head offices in Karachi, and agglomerated on I.I.Chundrigar Road and Shahra-e-Faisal. Besides banking and the financial sector, Karachi also hosts central offices of foreign multinational corporations as well as corporations based in Pakistan. It is home to the largest stock exchange of Pakistan: the Karachi Stock Exchange. Karachi Stock Exchange achieved the milestone of the best performing stock market of the world in early 2005. This financial boom helped Pakistan to achieve its ambitious goal of over 8 percent GDP growth which is highest in Asia after China during fiscal year 2004-05.The recent trend of ICT (information and communications technology), electronic media and call centers are become significant part of Karachi business hierarchy. Call Centers for foreign companies are increasing by leaps and bound. The government has reduced tax by as much as 80 percent (compared to India and China) to lure foreign investments in the IT sector. Every year atleast 2000 IT students graduate from the NED University of Engineering and Technology, NUST FAST, and Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology, the best IT institutions in Karachi.Karachi also has a huge industrial base. There are large industrial estates on most of the fringes of the main city. The main industries are textiles, pharmaceuticals, steel, and automobiles. Apart from these, there are many cottage industries in the city as well. Karachi is also known as software outsourcing hub of Pakistan. It also has a rapidly flourishing Free Zone having growth rate of nearly 15 percent per annum. An expo center has also been set up in Karachi and is now available to host many regional and International exhibitions.
Currently, the Karachi Port is the only large port in Pakistan, and is central to all shipping in Pakistan. The airport of Karachi, Quaid-e-Azam International Airport is also the largest airport in Pakistan. For years it served as the gateway to Asia and significant route to Mid East and Central Asia. The airport is considered potential to act as the major logistic centre for the sub-continent.Karachi is the nerve centre of Pakistan's economy. The economic stagnation due to political anarchy, ethnic strife and resulted military operation during late 80s and 90s led to efflux of industry from Karachi. Despite this severe shock, Karachi claims highest per capita income in South Asia.During 1960s, Karachi was seen as an economic role model around the developing world, and there was much praise for the way its economy was progressing. Many countries sought to emulate Pakistan's economic planning strategy and one of them, South Korea, copied its Second Five Year Plan, 1960-65, not just that, World financial center in Seoul was designed and modelled after Karachi. And while in the early 1960s the per capita income of Pakistan was more or equal to Korea, the latter ended up among the more developed of the developing countries, with a GDP per capita greater than $8,000 today.
Transportation
Quaid-e-Azam International Airport
Karachi Port - Kemari Flyover
The city has a modern international airport called the Quaid-e-Azam International Airport, the premier portal and Pakistan's busiest airport. The city's old airport terminals are now used for Hajj flights, cargo facilities, and ceremonial visits from heads of state. U.S. Coalition forces used the old terminals for their logistic supply operations as well. Apart from this, the city also has two other airstrips used primarily by the armed forces.Karachi also has the current largest shipping port in Pakistan. This sea-port has modern facilities and not only handles trade for Pakistan, but also serves as a port for Afghanistan and the land-locked Central Asian countries. Karachi port is not used for passenger traffic as a regular service.Karachi is linked via railway to the rest of the country. The Karachi City Station and Karachi Cantt Station are the city's two major railway stations. This railway system handles a large amount of freight to and from the Karachi port apart from providing passenger services to people travelling up country. Karachi also has a circular railway system that is planned to be extended to play a part in the city's mass transit.Currently, commuter traffic is handled primarily by motorists and minibuses, but there are plans to construct a light-rail based mass transit system in the city to decongest the roads and provide quick service to commuters.
Educational Institutions
Textile Institute of Pakistan
Karachi has the highest literacy rate, and the highest number of universities and colleges, of any of Pakistan's other cities. The city is well-known for its young student population, who flock from all parts of Pakistan and different parts of the world. Most universities of Karachi are considered to be the premier educational institutions of Pakistan and the World, and hence the admission process is intensely competitive with only the brightest and talented making their way into:
Aga Khan University
University of Karachi
Institute of Business Administration (IBA)
Bahria University
Textile Institute Of Pakistan
Mohammad Ali Jinnah University
Dow University of Health Sciences
N.E.D. University
Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology
Hamdard University
H.E.J Research Institute of Chemistry
Applied Economics Research Centre (AERC)
Institute of Business and Management (IBM)
Jinnah University for Women
Dawood College of Engineering.
Sites of interest
The Mohatta Palace Museum
D.J. College
French beach, Karachi General
Mazar-e-Quaid (Mausoleum of the founder of Pakistan- Muhammad Ali Jinnah)
Koocha-e-Saqafat (National Arts Council)
Mohatta Palace Seaside and Beaches
Clifton Sea View seafront
Hawkesbay Beach(breeding ground for endangered turtles)
Paradise Point (a rock promontory in the sea with a natural arch)
Sandspit Beach
French Beach
Russian Beach
Fishing and Crabbing on Keamari and Manora
Creek Club Karachi (offers boating in the creek areas)
Clifton Pavilion and the Kothari Parade
Clifton Aquarium
Defence Golf Club
Park Towers Shopping Mall
Zamzama Commercial Area (famous for its designer outlets)
World Wildlife Centre
Wetland Centre at Sandspit
Ibn-e-Qasim Park
Masjid-e-Touba (The largest domed structure of its kind)
Three Swords Monument Museums
Mazar-e-Quaid Museum
Mohatta Palace Museum
Pakistan Air Force Museum
Pakistan Maritime Museum
National Museum of Pakistan
Karachi Expo Centre Colonial Buildings
Mereweather Tower
Frere Hall
Governor's House
St. Patrick's Cathedral
St. Anthony's Church
Trinity Church
Sindh High Court
Former Victoria Museum (later used by the Supreme Court)
Karachi Gymkhana
Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Building
Hindu Gymkhana (now NAPA)
Empress Market
D.J. College Islands
Clifton Oyster Rocks
Manora Island Bundle Island
Bhit Shah
Shah Bandar
Churna Island (Naval gunnery site, as well as Pakistan's only coral reefs)
Amusement Parks
PIA Planetariam
Alladin Park
Sindbad
Hill Park
Safari Park
Karachi Zoo
Cosy Water Park
Samzu Park
Fun Land
Play Land
Fiesta park
The Clifton beach in Karachi is one of the longest city beaches in the world. Althought it suffered a recent oil spill disaster, the beach has been cleaned and has floodlights installed for night-time visitors. There are also a lot of other excellent beaches near the city such as Sandspit, Hawke's Bay, the French Beach, Russian beach and Paradise Point (a sandstone rock promotory with a natural arch) that are frequented by flocks of visitors every day.
ShoppingKarachi is scattered with a lot of big and small shopping areas all over the city. Karachiites are avid shoppers which can be seen from the crowds of people these markets attract every evening. Tariq Road and Zamzama are the most famous shopping areas in the city. You can find all sorts of clothing, garments, and beautiful fabrics over here apart from a number of other items. The Saddar area in downtown Karachi is also home to countless large and small markets dealing from everyday household items to clothing and fabrics to electronics. The Empress Market is a large Victorian era market, which is home to wholesellers of spices and other items.
Karachi also has a number of large modern malls, of which the Park Towers, The Forum, Millenium mall and Dolmen Mall are notable. More large and modern malls are currently under construction and completion whih include the Atrium Mall and the Dolmen City Mall.
ProblemsIn 1960s Karachi was seen as a model of economic development around the world, and there was much praise for the way its economy was progressing, But now Being one of the most rapidly growing cities in the world, Karachi faces problems that are central to many developing metropolises including overpopulation, overcrowding, traffic, terrorism and crime.Karachi faces a very severe problem of excessive traffic. According to official statistics, on an average annually 550 people are killed in road traffic accidents. The number of cars far outstrips the roads that they need to ply on. This makes driving considerably dangerous and causes loss of time due to traffic congestion. Currently, President Musharraf has launched the Tameer-e-Karachi (Build Karachi) program that included construction of a lot of bridges, flyovers, and bypasses, as well as other major projects to correct the city's infrastructure problems. The outgoing City government had signed a memorandum in the year 2005 with a foreign company to construct a 14 kilometers long track of magnetic train.Karachi is a city with a cool breeze because of its location close to the Arabian Sea, which is why the pollution levels in the city are not very high.
No comments:
Post a Comment