ONE year had passed after the first full-blown war between Pakistan and India. In that context, Sept 6, 1965 had become a momentous day in the history of the Pakistani nation. Naturally, Sept 6, 1966 held a great deal of importance for the state and for the country’s citizens, including, of course, those who lived in Karachi. In fact, compared to other cities, the kind of fervour experienced in the Sindh capital was pretty impressive.

The city wore a festive look as citizens celebrated the Defence of Pakistan Day. Newspapers brought out special supplements and Radio Pakistan presented programmes designed for the occasion. A large number of people visited the Quaid-i-Azam’s mausoleum and prayers were held in mosques for those who laid down their lives in the country’s defence. A grand show of military equipment was organised by the armed forces, civic organisations and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) for members of the armed services.

While the patriotic spirit was very high, there were things, as there always are, that needed to be set right. Take, for example, the perennial issue of price hike. On Sept 5, quoting an official statement the media reported that the prices of consumer goods had gone up by 10 to 30 per cent. Isn’t that a big leap? Here’s the breakdown. Local wheat sold at 50 paisas per seir in August 1965 was now being sold at 62 paisas. The price of mutton rose from Rs4 per seir to Rs4.50. Prawns could be bought for Rs3.50 per seir as against Rs2.17. Eggs, yes eggs, were sold at Rs3.18 per dozen, 28 paisas more than August last, and the price of potatoes was 75 paisas per seir whereas 12 months back it was 54 paisas. Wow! There was a time when we could have prawns for Rs2.17! Nostalgia is not always about the emotional affection for a period in the past, but it’s also about relishing food at a cheap-as-chips price.

That being said, we live in a society where people indulge in malpractices without feeling any compunction. Cheap or pricey, always check what you’re consuming. On Sept 9, the KMC health inspectors raided food stores in the city. The result: 25 food samples out of 60 collected were found adulterated. The samples taken were of yoghurt, milk, tomatoes, juice, ghee, vegetable products, oil, sweets, spices and margarine. The KMC said that the offenders were going to be dealt with under the Pure Food Act.

If the KMC was proactive in nabbing the adulterators, the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) was busy trying to resolve an issue related to their workers. On Sept 8, KDA employees held a demonstration in Saddar, Mohammadali Housing Society, Bunder Road and some other places to press for their demand of better working conditions pending since 1963. Labourers and technical staff working on Gharo, Dhabeji and Damlotee projects refused to receive salaries for August. Workers unions of the KDA had jointly threatened to stop work if the demands of their 4000 members were not accepted soon.

Who doesn’t want their institution to remain up and running so that its employees don’t feel disillusioned? The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi is no different. In those days, the premier cultural organisation of the city was short of funds. It used to have an especially designed cafeteria, one of the biggest dining halls and a modern kitchen. So in order to raise funds, on Sept 11, it was announced that the council would rent out its land and building, and was also offering patronship against a donation of Rs5,000. Well, it seems things have worked out well for the council.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2016