KARACHI: “The Electronics Market in Saddar has four different phases or sections,” explains Mohammad Ali Arabi, chairman of Hassan Centre that houses electronic parts or components shops mostly.

“The first section covers the electronics industry because it deals in electronic parts and components. The second section is also an electronics parts market but it is more commercial as it deals in computer hardware and gadgets. Then the third section is the television, music system, microwave, refrigerator, air-conditioner and other home appliances market while the fourth is the mobile phone market,” he adds.

Still, the first section comprising electronic parts and components is more important in the eyes of the businessman. “All over the world, the components and electronic parts business is more fruitful. The economy of Singapore and Hong Kong is based on it in fact. Well, that and tourism. In Singapore, the electronics market is located in the Sim Lim Square and Sim Lim Tower, In Hong Kong, there is the Apliu Street and in China there is the Huaqiang Electronic and Seg Electronic Market. Similarly in Japan, there is Tokyo’s Akihabara Electronic Market,” he explains.

A little walk down the lanes of the Electronics Market here introduces one to all that’s on offer. “There are digital light-emitting diode (LED) clocks and moving message displays along with other glittering stuff, too. The LEDs are available in several colours though red, blue, white and green are the most popular ones,” says Mohammad Shahid of Sadaf Electronics.

Digital LED clocks and moving message displays

“The LEDs die with time resulting in dimming the display but you can always have them replaced,” he adds.

Another shop has LED lights for decorating bikes and rickshaws. They are sold in rolls. “A five-metre roll costs Rs450 and the lights get their power from your vehicle’s battery,” says Mohammad Javed of Azad Lighting.

At another shop you see battery cells, extension cords, adapters, insulated pliers, test meters and car fans. Several vendors sell these too. The music you hear anywhere in the market come from shops selling speakers and amplifiers.

A vendor’s cart right in the middle of the road has all kinds of second-hand stuff such as hairdryers, emergency lights and fans, juicers, liquidizers along with dishes and toys. “It all comes in a container shipped here from the Middle East, Europe, etc. And we buy the things from a spot in Gulbai,” says the vendor, Mohammad Sulaiman. Picking up an old white and green Phillips hairdryer, he says, “Of course it doesn’t carry any warranty but it is for Rs250 only. Now tell me where can one get a hairdryer this cheap?”

Some of the objects on his card are out of order, too. “Well it may have useful parts that may help you replace parts in your electronic appliances at home which may have been discontinued by their respective companies,” he reasons. “Everything is useful,” he adds.

The Electronics Markets includes repair shops, too

A couple of lanes ahead, you have the repair shops for home appliances, too. Two housewives, sisters-in-law Mrs Mujtaba and Mrs Murtaza, are there to get their stuff repaired. Mrs Mujtaba’s juicer/grinder and Mrs Murtaza’s battery charger fell victim to loadshedding and high voltage surge. “We always bring our things for repair here. We come all the way from Gulshan. But the distance travelled and exercise is worth it as we know both the charger and juicer will be as good as new,” says Mrs Murtaza. “If not, we can also buy a replacement at reasonable costs from here,” she adds.

Suddenly while looking at the showcases in the various shops you wonder what the electronic bits resembling buttons and zips are called. “Well, these are button and zips,” the shopkeeper laughs when asked the question. “You are in Saddar Cooperative Market,” he says prompting you to look around and notice where you have reached. There are kurta shops, brass and marble shops along with more electronics shops all around.

Passing through there and a short walk up Abdullah Haroon Road you find the TV, AC, fridge and other home appliances market to your left and the mobile phone market across it to your right. As far electronics are concerned a walk through the Electronics Market in Saddar proves that Pakistan isn’t too far behind China, Singapore and Japan.