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Karachi won't be Karachi without the sea

Let’s explore Karachi’s coastline as it stands today – years after it was first dotted by obscure fishing villages.
Nadeem F. Paracha Published October 14, 2016

Karachi is Pakistan’s largest and most populated metropolis. It is also the country’s busiest trading post and a highly pluralistic city. But the crime rates here have been the highest in the country; and its politics have been complex and fractious, mostly due to the economic and political tensions between the various ethnic groups which reside here.

Karachi has a long coastline along the Arabian Sea. It was here that small fishing villages first sprang up more than 2000 years ago. Some of them are mentioned by Greek commander, Nearchus, whose forces arrived here in 325 BC.

These villages began to expand from the 18th century onward, until the area became an economic hub and a multicultural conurbation under the British. The city grew even more briskly after it became part of Pakistan in 1947.

Let’s explore Karachi’s coastline as it stands today – thousands of years after it was first dotted by obscure fishing villages.

Clifton

Clifton is a sprawling area in Karachi which is also one of the closest to the sea. It is a popular residential, commercial and recreational locality. It is also Karachi’s most expensive zone.

Clifton was largely barren till it began being developed in the late 19th century by British colonialists who build houses here. The houses were only used as temporary breakaway pads by British families who mainly lived in the more developed areas of Karachi. This was mainly due to the fact that there was no running water available in Clifton and hardly any roads.

In the early 20th century, wealthy Zoroastrian families began to build permanent houses here. They were followed by rich Muslim and Hindu families. A bridge (Clifton Bridge) was constructed to directly connect the area with the city centre.

Till even the 1960s, Clifton was a largely desolate area with only a few hundred houses owned by rich families. However, from the late-1970s onward, Clifton began to emerge as a busy commercial and recreational hub.

Today it is one of Karachi’s most attractive and busy localities with large apartment blocks, multiplexes, malls, schools, colleges, bungalows, parks and restaurants.

A growth in population and commercial activity in Clifton has also triggered the emergence of some ‘low-income’ areas, mainly populated by men and women who work as house helps in bungalows, apartments, restaurants and shops in the area.

Clifton, 1905. The quiet area by the sea.
Clifton, 1905. The quiet area by the sea.

Clifton today: A busy commercial, recreational and residential hub.
Clifton today: A busy commercial, recreational and residential hub.

The Khotari Parade, 1922. It was constructed on the shores of the Clifton Beach on land granted by a rich Hindu businessman. The structure and walking path were built on a hill a few meters from the sea.
The Khotari Parade, 1922. It was constructed on the shores of the Clifton Beach on land granted by a rich Hindu businessman. The structure and walking path were built on a hill a few meters from the sea.

The Khotari Parade today (behind which now lies the massive Qasim Park). Till even the 1950s, much of the land on which the park was laid (in the mid-2000s) was submerged under sea water.
The Khotari Parade today (behind which now lies the massive Qasim Park). Till even the 1950s, much of the land on which the park was laid (in the mid-2000s) was submerged under sea water.

Shrine of ancient Sufi saint, Abdullah Shah Ghazi, in 1947. It was built in the 13th century on a sandy hill beside the sea in the area which became to be known as New Clifton.
Shrine of ancient Sufi saint, Abdullah Shah Ghazi, in 1947. It was built in the 13th century on a sandy hill beside the sea in the area which became to be known as New Clifton.

The Abdullah Shah Ghazi shrine today. The Sufi saint is also known as the patron saint of Karachi.
The Abdullah Shah Ghazi shrine today. The Sufi saint is also known as the patron saint of Karachi.

Frere Road in 1902. It leads to Clifton which (as can be seen in the horizon) was largely barren. In the 1930s, a bridge (Clifton Bridge) was built to connect the city centre with Clifton.
Frere Road in 1902. It leads to Clifton which (as can be seen in the horizon) was largely barren. In the 1930s, a bridge (Clifton Bridge) was built to connect the city centre with Clifton.

The Clifton Bridge in 2014. The bridge was built in the 1930s to connect Clifton with the rest of Karachi. Till the late 1950s, high tide in the Arabian Sea used to submerge the landing of the bridge, marooning the area’s residents for hours.
The Clifton Bridge in 2014. The bridge was built in the 1930s to connect Clifton with the rest of Karachi. Till the late 1950s, high tide in the Arabian Sea used to submerge the landing of the bridge, marooning the area’s residents for hours.

1910: In the background is Bath Island, a spot in Clifton which was surrounded by sea water from three sides.
1910: In the background is Bath Island, a spot in Clifton which was surrounded by sea water from three sides.

A British mother and son at their home in Bath Island in 1944. By then the area had become a highly ‘posh’ locality of Clifton. The house seen in the picture still stands. It has been owned by various British companies.
A British mother and son at their home in Bath Island in 1944. By then the area had become a highly ‘posh’ locality of Clifton. The house seen in the picture still stands. It has been owned by various British companies.

Bath Island in 1979. The area was still one of the most expensive in the city. Residents were mostly wealthy Zoroastrian and affluent Muslim families.
Bath Island in 1979. The area was still one of the most expensive in the city. Residents were mostly wealthy Zoroastrian and affluent Muslim families.

Bath Island today – packed closely with town houses and large apartment blocks. It has now become a middle-class locality. The waters around it have completely vanished.
Bath Island today – packed closely with town houses and large apartment blocks. It has now become a middle-class locality. The waters around it have completely vanished.

The future Sea View area at the Clifton Beach in the 1940s.
The future Sea View area at the Clifton Beach in the 1940s.

Families enjoy a camel ride on the shores of Clifton Beach in the 1950s. A mammoth shopping mall stands at this very spot today.
Families enjoy a camel ride on the shores of Clifton Beach in the 1950s. A mammoth shopping mall stands at this very spot today.

A Rickshaw driver on Frere Road heading towards the Clifton Beach in 1965 after that year’s heavy monsoon downpours and a tidal wave which hit Karachi’s coastline.
A Rickshaw driver on Frere Road heading towards the Clifton Beach in 1965 after that year’s heavy monsoon downpours and a tidal wave which hit Karachi’s coastline.

Picnicking at the Clifton Beach in the early 1970s.
Picnicking at the Clifton Beach in the early 1970s.

The Clifton Beach/Sea View in 1982. Town houses and apartment blocks began to emerge here in the early 1980s.
The Clifton Beach/Sea View in 1982. Town houses and apartment blocks began to emerge here in the early 1980s.

The Clifton Beach/Sea View today. It has become a bustling recreational, commercial and residential expanse.
The Clifton Beach/Sea View today. It has become a bustling recreational, commercial and residential expanse.

Group of friends take a stroll on the Clifton Beach. A few meters away is a gigantic shopping mall.
Group of friends take a stroll on the Clifton Beach. A few meters away is a gigantic shopping mall.

The main Clifton Road in 1901.
The main Clifton Road in 1901.

Clifton Road in 1975.
Clifton Road in 1975.

Clifton Road today. It has become one of the busiest roads in the city. Tall shopping malls and apartment blocks have continued to appear along its path.
Clifton Road today. It has become one of the busiest roads in the city. Tall shopping malls and apartment blocks have continued to appear along its path.

An old painting of The Mohatta Palace surrounded by shrubs and other coastal vegetation. The palatial house was built in 1927 by a businessman as a summer retreat close to the Clifton Beach. In 1964 it became the home of Mrs. Fatima Jinnah. She was the sister of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
An old painting of The Mohatta Palace surrounded by shrubs and other coastal vegetation. The palatial house was built in 1927 by a businessman as a summer retreat close to the Clifton Beach. In 1964 it became the home of Mrs. Fatima Jinnah. She was the sister of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

The Mohatta Palace today. It was locked up and ignored after Ms. Jinnah’s demise in 1967. In 1995 it was restorted by the Sindh govornment and turned into a museum.
The Mohatta Palace today. It was locked up and ignored after Ms. Jinnah’s demise in 1967. In 1995 it was restorted by the Sindh govornment and turned into a museum.

A mangrove forest near the sea in a virgin area of Clifton.
A mangrove forest near the sea in a virgin area of Clifton.

Clifton’s popular Boat Basin area. It was built over a large mangrove forest. The area is famous for its restaurants, cafes and 24/7 eateries.
Clifton’s popular Boat Basin area. It was built over a large mangrove forest. The area is famous for its restaurants, cafes and 24/7 eateries.

Statue of former Pakistan Prime Minister, late Benazir Bhutto, at a park in Boat Basin. Her home (Bilawal House) too is in the same area.
Statue of former Pakistan Prime Minister, late Benazir Bhutto, at a park in Boat Basin. Her home (Bilawal House) too is in the same area.

Pakistan’s tallest building (the ICON Tower) being built in the New Clifton area.
Pakistan’s tallest building (the ICON Tower) being built in the New Clifton area.

Rati Lines, a low-income area in Clifton which has been growing ever since the 1970s. Most residents of the locality work as cooks, drivers, guards and maids in Clifton’s many bungalows and apartments. The area was first settled by roving gypsies in the late 1960s. The locality stands behind Bath Island.
Rati Lines, a low-income area in Clifton which has been growing ever since the 1970s. Most residents of the locality work as cooks, drivers, guards and maids in Clifton’s many bungalows and apartments. The area was first settled by roving gypsies in the late 1960s. The locality stands behind Bath Island.

DHA

Defence Housing Authority (DHA) was first established in the 1950s as a cooperative housing society. It is one of the best planned and maintained areas of the city. Its boundaries merge with Clifton and like Clifton it too is an affluent locality.

DHA is mostly a ‘posh’ residential vicinity, but over the years pockets of commercial zones have also sprung up. So have some low-income areas which are populated by those serving as help and labour in DHA’s bungalows.

1975 photo of the turning in Clifton Road which leads to DHA Phase 2 and 4.
1975 photo of the turning in Clifton Road which leads to DHA Phase 2 and 4.

DHA today.
DHA today.

Entrance of the DHA Golf Club.
Entrance of the DHA Golf Club.

Road leading to DHA Creek Club
Road leading to DHA Creek Club

Restaurants by the sea in DHA.
Restaurants by the sea in DHA.

Expensive apartment blocks have begun to come up in DHA. This is one of the largest in the area (Creek Vista).
Expensive apartment blocks have begun to come up in DHA. This is one of the largest in the area (Creek Vista).

DHA’s famous Taiba Mosque (also called Gol Masjid). It was built in 1969.
DHA’s famous Taiba Mosque (also called Gol Masjid). It was built in 1969.

Enjoying a smoke at a ‘Sheesha Bar/Café’ in DHA.
Enjoying a smoke at a ‘Sheesha Bar/Café’ in DHA.

The largest multiplex cinema in Karachi stands in DHA Phase 8. Till even the early 1970s, the area on which this building stands was under sea water.
The largest multiplex cinema in Karachi stands in DHA Phase 8. Till even the early 1970s, the area on which this building stands was under sea water.

The Zamzama Park: DHA’s largest public park.
The Zamzama Park: DHA’s largest public park.

The biggest low-income area in DHA is the Neelum Colony. The land on which it is built was allotted by the government in the 1970s to construct low-income housing for laborers who had to travel long distances to work in Clifton and DHA. High crime and drug addiction rates have often troubled this locality
The biggest low-income area in DHA is the Neelum Colony. The land on which it is built was allotted by the government in the 1970s to construct low-income housing for laborers who had to travel long distances to work in Clifton and DHA. High crime and drug addiction rates have often troubled this locality

Queen’s Road/Mai Kolachi/Karachi Port

The Queens Road is an old Karachi locality which runs along mangrove forests of Karachi’s coast line. It is famous for three main landmarks: The Karachi Boat Club; the Beach Luxury Hotel; and the Native Jetty Bridge. It is also an affluent residential area. The wide Mai Kolachi Road connects it with Clifton.

The Native Jetty Bridge in 1957. It begins where Queens Road ends. It was built in 1954. It connects the city to the Karachi Port.
The Native Jetty Bridge in 1957. It begins where Queens Road ends. It was built in 1954. It connects the city to the Karachi Port.

The Native Jetty Bridge in 1979. Till the early 1970s, this bridge was also an infamous ‘suicide spot’ for heartbroken Romeos and Juliets.
The Native Jetty Bridge in 1979. Till the early 1970s, this bridge was also an infamous ‘suicide spot’ for heartbroken Romeos and Juliets.

The Native Jetty Bridge today (Pic: Irfan Sattar).
The Native Jetty Bridge today (Pic: Irfan Sattar).

Locals and foreigners wine and dine at a restaurant at the Beach Luxury Hotel in 1969. The hotel was built laterally to a mangrove forest in the Queens Road area.
Locals and foreigners wine and dine at a restaurant at the Beach Luxury Hotel in 1969. The hotel was built laterally to a mangrove forest in the Queens Road area.

The Beach Luxury Hotel today.
The Beach Luxury Hotel today.

The Karachi Boat Club (KBC) in the 1950s. It was built in the 19th century along the same mangrove forest.
The Karachi Boat Club (KBC) in the 1950s. It was built in the 19th century along the same mangrove forest.

The KBC in the 1970s.
The KBC in the 1970s.

KBC today. The waters and mangroves which run alongside it have become extremely polluted.
KBC today. The waters and mangroves which run alongside it have become extremely polluted.

The Karachi Port in the 1850s.
The Karachi Port in the 1850s.

The Karachi Port today.
The Karachi Port today.

Karachi Port view at night. (Pic: Ali Raza Khatri)
Karachi Port view at night. (Pic: Ali Raza Khatri)

The Mai Kolachi Road which connects Clifton with Queens Road. Mai Kolachi was laid over a vast mangrove area in the early 1990s. It is named after Karachi’s old appellation, Kolachi (which was changed to Karachi in the late 1900s).
The Mai Kolachi Road which connects Clifton with Queens Road. Mai Kolachi was laid over a vast mangrove area in the early 1990s. It is named after Karachi’s old appellation, Kolachi (which was changed to Karachi in the late 1900s).

The famous recreational area, Port Grande. It is built on the waterfront of the Netty Jetty Bridge.
The famous recreational area, Port Grande. It is built on the waterfront of the Netty Jetty Bridge.

Port Grande in the evening.
Port Grande in the evening.

Manora

Manora is one of the oldest areas of Karachi. It was here where the Greek commander, Nearchus, came across native fishing villages almost 2000 years ago. It is also one of the areas from where the British navy invaded Karachi in the 1840s.

Manora in 1850s.
Manora in 1850s.

Manora today, with its famous lighthouse and old church.
Manora today, with its famous lighthouse and old church.

The Manora Beach. An ancient Hindu temple stands here as well.
The Manora Beach. An ancient Hindu temple stands here as well.

Karachi Fish Harbour

Karachi Fish Harbour was built in the 1950s. Over 90 percent of Pakistan's fish and seafood catch and exports pass through this harbour.

A British expat and his son pose for the camera with their catch at the Karachi Fish Harbour in 1957.
A British expat and his son pose for the camera with their catch at the Karachi Fish Harbour in 1957.

The harbor today.
The harbor today.

Cranes pull out a 40-ft ‘whale shark’ from the waters of the harbor.
Cranes pull out a 40-ft ‘whale shark’ from the waters of the harbor.

Boat-building is still considered to be an art by many who reside in the area around the harbor.
Boat-building is still considered to be an art by many who reside in the area around the harbor.

Keamari

Like Manora, Kimari too is one of the oldest areas of Karachi along the city’s main coastline. However, it is thickly populated and the quality of sea water here is one of the worst. Most of the inhabitants are fishing folk. Many also own old motorboats which they hire out to tourists and visitors.

A recreational activity called ‘crabbing’ has been popular here for decades. Tourists and people from other areas of Karachi (and Pakistan) hire boats (mainly in the evenings) and go ‘crabbing’. Crabs are caught and then cooked and eaten on the boat.

A tram station in Keamari in the 1940s.
A tram station in Keamari in the 1940s.

Keamari today.
Keamari today.

Tourists enjoy a boat ride in Keamari in the late 1960s.
Tourists enjoy a boat ride in Keamari in the late 1960s.

Boats for hire to go ‘crabbing’ in Keamari waters.
Boats for hire to go ‘crabbing’ in Keamari waters.

The polluted waters of Bhit Island near Keamari.
The polluted waters of Bhit Island near Keamari.

The Beaches

Karachi has a long coastline and a number of beaches. Its most commercial beach is in Clifton (which is also one of the most polluted). However, even in this day and age, Karachi is still famous for having some of the most naturally beautiful beaches in the world.

A watersports event at the popular Hawksbay Beach. It is one of Karachi’s most popular resorts, even though it has begun to be encroached upon by a rapidly growing housing scheme in the area.
A watersports event at the popular Hawksbay Beach. It is one of Karachi’s most popular resorts, even though it has begun to be encroached upon by a rapidly growing housing scheme in the area.

The Sandspit Beach is famous for its calm waters, rocky formation, and for being the nesting ground of Green Turtles.
The Sandspit Beach is famous for its calm waters, rocky formation, and for being the nesting ground of Green Turtles.

The Paradise Point Beach is famous for its rough waters, especially around an ancient natural rock formation which till even recently used to have an arch. The arch eventually came apart a few years ago.
The Paradise Point Beach is famous for its rough waters, especially around an ancient natural rock formation which till even recently used to have an arch. The arch eventually came apart a few years ago.

Between Hawksbay and Paradise Point is the ‘French Beach.’ It is mostly frequented by the affluent members of the society who own all the ‘huts’ here.
Between Hawksbay and Paradise Point is the ‘French Beach.’ It is mostly frequented by the affluent members of the society who own all the ‘huts’ here.

The serene Cape Monze Beach (aka Ras Mauri). It is located near the Hub River which meets Karachi’s sweet water needs.
The serene Cape Monze Beach (aka Ras Mauri). It is located near the Hub River which meets Karachi’s sweet water needs.

Men fishing at the Mubarak Village Beach.
Men fishing at the Mubarak Village Beach.

Whales and dolphins are often spotted in the waters of the Mubarak Village Beach. This whale was recently spotted here. (Pic Dawn TV)
Whales and dolphins are often spotted in the waters of the Mubarak Village Beach. This whale was recently spotted here. (Pic Dawn TV)

A recreational club at the Korangi Creek.
A recreational club at the Korangi Creek.

Nadeem F. Paracha is a cultural critic and senior columnist for Dawn Newspaper and Dawn.com. He is also the author of two books on the social history of Pakistan, End of the Past and The Pakistan Anti-Hero.

He tweets @NadeemfParacha

Nadeem F. Paracha
Comments (116) Closed
Krishna
Oct 14, 2016 12:05pm
If Karachi is a flamboyant lady, Mumbai is a maiden.
Recommend 0
mohammed
Oct 14, 2016 12:08pm
Nice article written by Nadeem. I appreciate it
Recommend 0
Haris
Oct 14, 2016 12:23pm
Excellent!!!!!!!!!! Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Recommend 0
Usman
Oct 14, 2016 12:23pm
Wah nadeem wah. Ek puppe idhar ek puppe idhar loving the article
Recommend 0
Muhammad Taha Tariq
Oct 14, 2016 12:25pm
Wonderful. NFP you are great.
Recommend 0
Sabir
Oct 14, 2016 12:26pm
NICE
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Saira
Oct 14, 2016 12:31pm
NFP's insights and history are always remarkable. A solid, proud Karachiite.
Recommend 0
SMJ
Oct 14, 2016 12:34pm
Superb! Very nice article. Thanks a ton. God bless you.
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Hamid Shafiq
Oct 14, 2016 12:38pm
If sea is out from the Karachi picture then everything is useless
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blunt
Oct 14, 2016 12:42pm
nice article. very informative.
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Sam
Oct 14, 2016 12:43pm
After looking these Pictures its is hard to believe that Pakistan is a fail State. I had so much fun growing up in Karachi. One thing that should be covered in this article or may be in your next one are the lakes and falls around Karachi.
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Sam
Oct 14, 2016 12:45pm
@Hamid Shafiq No their is another side of Karachi beside the sea, the lakes , falls and farms and hills .
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S KUMAR
Oct 14, 2016 12:45pm
Vice nice NFP , specially how the city evolved over the years - is seen. Would love to visit karachi !!
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Masood Hameed Rind
Oct 14, 2016 12:52pm
Very informative article, glad to see historical views of karachi clifton.
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Umar Afzaal
Oct 14, 2016 12:55pm
Lovely.....hope so Karachi will rise again from Ashes.....Law and Order improves....Singapore Port and other famois port are designed according to karachi but we lost they developed.
Recommend 0
Mumbaikar
Oct 14, 2016 01:06pm
I hope I live to see the day when we will have boats, cruises and hovercrafts plying between Karachi and Mumbai.
Recommend 0
ART KP
Oct 14, 2016 01:06pm
"Karachi full of life and energy, giving a sense of happy satisfaction with its appearance."
Recommend 0
Secular KP
Oct 14, 2016 01:11pm
@S KUMAR "I am happy to sponsor tourists from India to visit Pakistan."
Recommend 0
Talha
Oct 14, 2016 01:12pm
Karachi the king of sindh and pride of pakistan indeed
Recommend 0
Ali
Oct 14, 2016 02:08pm
Nice nice parachute Sir, you are a gem!
Recommend 0
Mahmood
Oct 14, 2016 02:11pm
Wonderful journey back into nostalgia! Brings back sweet memories of a peaceful Karachi.
Recommend 0
sufyan
Oct 14, 2016 02:16pm
Awesome. Karachi is Karachi..
Recommend 0
Shiraz
Oct 14, 2016 02:21pm
Fantastic article. I recently gave a presentation at my current work place, where I included a lot of pictures related to beaches around Karachi. My colleagues were quite amazed. Never heard of and seen them.
Recommend 0
Khwarezmi
Oct 14, 2016 02:32pm
Thank you very much for these awesome pictures. Cutting and killing of the mangrove forest is an evil practise. It is anti-environmental, anti-beauty and anti-Islamic.
Recommend 0
Hyderabadi
Oct 14, 2016 02:41pm
The pictures made me miss my hometown; Mumbai. Thanks Dawn.
Recommend 0
M Waheed
Oct 14, 2016 02:40pm
Another excellent article by Mr. Paracha. I lived in Karachi from my early childhood in 70s until 1988. It took me back to those days. Thanks Mr. Paracha for such an interesting article.
Recommend 0
Shazia
Oct 14, 2016 02:44pm
Earlier this year I moved from Karachi to Lahore, but miss Karachi a lot. NFP you made my day
Recommend 0
Fara
Oct 14, 2016 02:55pm
Love karachii ! City that never sleeps
Recommend 0
samrendra singh
Oct 14, 2016 03:09pm
Awesome Pics, no body can beat Dawn and Nadeem F Paracha is picture quality and Great Article, none of my Indian Newspapers come close to what I see and read in DAWN . All pics were great but i liked "the wine and dine at a restaurant" the most. looked liked still from 1970s bollywood movie.
Recommend 0
JAMIL
Oct 14, 2016 03:36pm
Nice article.
Recommend 0
ABID ALI
Oct 14, 2016 03:41pm
Great!!!
Recommend 0
Pak Khan
Oct 14, 2016 03:45pm
Beautiful. So good to see an article from NFP without involving politics. Love my beautiful city, beautiful land and beautiful country. Thank you
Recommend 0
ashar
Oct 14, 2016 03:50pm
Nice, amazing, spot on, informative..all else you want NFP
Recommend 0
Majid
Oct 14, 2016 03:52pm
I so want to go to Karachi. My birthplace before we shifted to Islamabad back in 1998.
Recommend 0
Maria
Oct 14, 2016 04:03pm
I love Karachi
Recommend 0
Adnan 2
Oct 14, 2016 04:06pm
All I want to say long live Pakistan.
Recommend 0
Zak
Oct 14, 2016 04:11pm
Thanks for showing the true Karachi and its rising spirit. Karachi is karachi and non like it.
Recommend 0
The end is near
Oct 14, 2016 04:11pm
Karachi, I still Love you. A wonderful City where I was born. Great Pics and great article, Thanks.
Recommend 0
Saad
Oct 14, 2016 04:14pm
Karachi is a beauty
Recommend 0
Shah
Oct 14, 2016 04:25pm
Someone made Karachi what is was, someone turned it into what it is. Surely someone can make it better than it ever was. Peace
Recommend 0
AHA
Oct 14, 2016 04:30pm
Truly amazing. A great history lesson.
Recommend 0
Raj
Oct 14, 2016 05:05pm
Got engrossed into the history of Karachi. Heard a lot about karachi from my mom who lived in this city before partition. Thanks NFP for describing through pictures how karachi grew over time. I also liked your other articles on karachi city. I will narrate to my mom how her childhood city has grown since she left it.
Recommend 0
Rashid
Oct 14, 2016 05:12pm
NFP thanks for sharing the beautiful Karachi picks and memories. BTW Karachi is a prime victim of population growth, it is killing us and the whole city.
Recommend 0
mojazze
Oct 14, 2016 05:21pm
Nice pictures new and old
Recommend 0
Naveed
Oct 14, 2016 05:42pm
I love my Pakistan
Recommend 0
gorgeous images
Oct 14, 2016 06:09pm
Nice gorgeous images.
Recommend 0
Shakil USA
Oct 14, 2016 06:09pm
Simply Amazing and great City. God bless Pakistan.
Recommend 0
Basharat Tayyab
Oct 14, 2016 06:11pm
An excellent portrayal of Karachi and its past and how development has shaped the city.
Recommend 0
Chisti
Oct 14, 2016 06:12pm
Great. Made my day
Recommend 0
Muhammad Khan
Oct 14, 2016 06:22pm
Nice effort
Recommend 0
Rehan
Oct 14, 2016 06:41pm
Delight to watch.
Recommend 0
salman ahmed
Oct 14, 2016 06:48pm
Thanks for sharing such nice memories.
Recommend 0
salman ahmed
Oct 14, 2016 06:47pm
Thanks for sharing such a nice memories.
Recommend 0
Scooby Doo
Oct 14, 2016 06:50pm
@Shah We live in HOPE .............. buddy
Recommend 0
saeeds
Oct 14, 2016 07:21pm
Ghazi shaib make a quite journey. With population increasing in exponential one day we will drink the ocean to make space for us
Recommend 0
Rizwan
Oct 14, 2016 07:26pm
Simply, beautiful city!!!
Recommend 0
Lalat
Oct 14, 2016 07:31pm
Oh, Beautiful Karachi. Hope, one day if peace prevails between our two countries, i would love to visit this beautiful place. Until then, have to satisfy with this excellent picture collection o NFP. A big NFP fan from India
Recommend 0
Rashid Nasim
Oct 14, 2016 07:34pm
Nadeem: Thank you. Love it.
Recommend 0
Chicago
Oct 14, 2016 07:35pm
Karachi, The heart of Pakistan. Where people works and have good living. Thanks for the memories.
Recommend 0
Kush Swaroop
Oct 14, 2016 08:33pm
What a Nice City...I wish I get to visit it and lahore once. Karachi Looks very similar to Mumbai though from Pictures.
Recommend 0
Adeel Bhatti
Oct 14, 2016 08:40pm
Excellent !!!
Recommend 0
S Khan
Oct 14, 2016 08:53pm
Excellent photos!
Recommend 0
Iqbal
Oct 14, 2016 09:20pm
@Mumbaikar Love u man.
Recommend 0
ashutosh mishra
Oct 14, 2016 09:20pm
Fantastic!!!
Recommend 0
rashid
Oct 14, 2016 09:34pm
Priceless, thank you NFK for sharing.
Recommend 0
syed(Australia)
Oct 14, 2016 09:39pm
Nice article supported by some very precious pics. Karachi is truly the heart of Pakistan.
Recommend 0
Faisal
Oct 14, 2016 09:49pm
NFP, you are true son of Karachi.
Recommend 0
Nage
Oct 14, 2016 09:56pm
Karachi seems like a nice place. I truly wish India and Pakistan can keep their differences aside and solve issues like sanitation, access to clean safe drinking water, Indian and Pakistani scientists working together to prevent environmental degradation for instance, they could learn from each other/ work to cleanup the rivers and the oceans of both countries. We have more in common and sooner or later, it is better to realize that people on both sides of the border are people. Let's keep aside our differences, don't let military dictate the future of billion plus people.
Recommend 0
Zi
Oct 14, 2016 10:02pm
BEAUTIFUL! Simply splendid! It could be a tourist heaven. What have we done to our country?????
Recommend 0
DEEPAK RAWANI
Oct 14, 2016 10:18pm
MY LATE FATHER WAS BORN IN KARACHI. HE USED TO MISS THE GOOD OLD TIMES OF KARACHI. IF GOD PERMIT WILL LOVE TO VISIT KARACHI AND MAKE FRIENDS.
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Shah
Oct 14, 2016 10:29pm
Did not knew we have so beautiful city in our beautiful country
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Maestro
Oct 14, 2016 10:38pm
Karachi used to be a very pluralistic society from independence until 1977 (until Zia toppled the Govt). Slowly it plunged into chaos, intolerance, hatred, violence and what not. Wish the peaceful days could return. I miss them so much.
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a
Oct 14, 2016 10:43pm
@Umar Afzaal Singapore port was developed on lines of Karachi ?? Never heard that !
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Munawar Ali
Oct 14, 2016 10:57pm
Karachi has well-developed and fabulously evolved under the liberal and secular government of Pakistan People's Party in Sindh. #WellDone.
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KM Ali
Oct 14, 2016 11:04pm
Wonderful pictorial story of Karachi and its beaches. Well captured!
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jyoti
Oct 14, 2016 11:09pm
would lov to be near beach in evening with a bottle of lager in hand
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Jaswant Ganga
Oct 14, 2016 11:16pm
Karachi! You BEAUTY!! I'd love visit one day, Inshaallah ul aziz.
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Saifuddin Takhtawala
Oct 14, 2016 11:47pm
A very informative article with priceless pholography.
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Jimmy_ABG
Oct 14, 2016 11:46pm
My Lovely KHI.. Thanks NFP. I was born in the Bath Island area of Clifton in the 70's. We had left the area in the early 80's.. but whenever i go back to Pak, i do visit Bath island just to refresh my beautiful memories.. Being nostalgic now.
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Lahori Kid
Oct 15, 2016 12:58am
WOW, funny thing is, I just visited Karachi the first time since 1992. My memories are from when I was a kid, we would go to Karachi to visit our Nana and Nani, back in late 60's to early 70's. I went to visit my parents old apartment on Sea view, first, I didn't even know where I was, there were buildings every where, and what I noticed brought me to my knees, I remember back in 1987 when I came to Pakistan to visit my parents, the water used to splash against the wall, which was right next to the road, now the water has receded back like 500 or more feet. Although I have fond memories of Hawks bay, Clifton, the play land, remember the dodging cars? but you cannot help but notice the filth and garbage all around Karachi.
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Dawn Reader
Oct 15, 2016 01:05am
Nice to see what Karachi was and is today, especially for people who are not from Pakistan, but who would love to see what it's like. Must say very impressed with the development, even if only the better areas have been shown. .
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Lahori Kid
Oct 15, 2016 01:03am
The before and after pics are amazing, brought back so many memories of Clifton, the play land and Hawks bay, oh man, i'm going to go thru the pics again when I get home from work. Great job bhai g, people like me who left home almost four decades ago sure do appreciate the walk down memory lane.
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pm
Oct 15, 2016 01:31am
Very, very good collection of the old and the new ... shown side-by-side it gives a perspective on not only change but also on Life and how it must change and there fore as Darwin asserted: it is not the strongest, or the most innovative that survive and prosper; but in the long road of evolution the species that is most adaptable to change that has survived and prospered.
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m@k
Oct 15, 2016 01:50am
Amidst all chaos its always soothing and a pleasure to read and learn more about our (
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Chicago
Oct 15, 2016 01:56am
Do anyone has pictures of Aluminum Quarters used to be where FTC stand now on Shahrah-e-faisal old Drigh Road.
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Morris
Oct 15, 2016 02:04am
I live in network but miss Karachi.love beaches love city night life. God make Karachi peaceful city .
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M F Fakhru of Bangladesh
Oct 15, 2016 02:41am
I live in London. Did not know about this rich city. It was so well narrated that I felt I was there. Need to visit soon.
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Imran
Oct 15, 2016 02:59am
This land has so much to offer. Pakistan ZINDABAD !!!
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Immad Rohela
Oct 15, 2016 03:50am
Superb Work !! Worth reading the article :)
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kit kit
Oct 15, 2016 05:10am
Fab article. Sad to see Bath turn into a trashy slum . Really bad modern architecture too which being a once plush port city you would think they would have commissioner something cool. Bad palnning as was building over mangroves. too soo there wont be water left in tha place Love the old pics
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Hard core
Oct 15, 2016 06:08am
It seems some cities are going backwards. Need to introspect.
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Kaiser London Ilford Twin Towers
Oct 15, 2016 06:32am
Beautiful Karachi. City of Lights if it was not for the corrupted individuals.......
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Krishna
Oct 15, 2016 07:41am
Very nice description and pictures of Karachi. Zamama Garden is beautiful. Hopefully in my lifetime the relationship between the two countries improves so that people can visit either side of the border.
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S Mishra
Oct 15, 2016 07:54am
wonderful. Learn so much about my neighbouring country and it has completely chaged my perception about pakistan i would like to travel to karachi had this recent tension been not there. such article which enhances image of the nation without deameaning others gives a very positive message. i wish a very prosperous & peaceful karachi and Pakistan to my pakistani brothers over there.
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chacha
Oct 15, 2016 08:50am
Thank you for the memory lane trip. I am not that old but nice to know about Karachi history
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Meera jee
Oct 15, 2016 10:10am
And this is my old friend Paracha from the 80's in Coral Communications, whom 'Humanyun used to refer as a socialist. :) rings a bell?
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Shaikh Muhammed Ali
Oct 15, 2016 10:16am
Nadeem: You have brought long cherished memoirs of the past and thank you so much for the same. Long live MY Karachi!
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selva
Oct 15, 2016 10:56am
Karachi looks beautiful in black and white days
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Sajid hASAN
Oct 15, 2016 11:07am
Only Karachi is better than Karachi....long live Quaid's and our city...
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sundus zareef
Oct 15, 2016 12:20pm
woww very good n informative.
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sundus zareef
Oct 15, 2016 12:20pm
gud efforts very informative
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Muhammad Rafiq
Oct 15, 2016 01:24pm
Excellent Memories
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A.Ali
Oct 15, 2016 01:32pm
Amazing pictures. Sadly years of neglect by the authorities have turned Karachi into a dump
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ASC, Proud Indian
Oct 15, 2016 03:51pm
Although, I am from India and proud to be Indian, But, I have dream of visiting Pakistan especially Karachi, Lahore since few of my relatives were from Karachi and Lahore before partition. I wish we all get united like we were before partition. Thanks for sharing those images. I dream my wish come true.
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Muhammed Ayub
Oct 15, 2016 04:01pm
very interesting excellent work by Mr.Nadeem. it's truly gift for Karachi lovers .
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Adam Riasat
Oct 15, 2016 04:11pm
Congragulation Mr. Nadeem for this magnificent article
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Surajit
Oct 15, 2016 04:28pm
Being an Indian and always listening to biased opinions about Pakistan in our media, this article is a real eye opener. Very nice and progressive city, will visit one day for sure. Human minds, however educated, are easy to spoil and our degenerate media makes it even worse. Thumbs up to Dawn!
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S. A. M.
Oct 15, 2016 07:59pm
I had my brought up in Saddar (Elphinstone street). believe it or not Saddar was such a beautiful neighbourhood. it was multicultural. people of different faith used to live in those apartments with great peace in harmony. there were many Zoroastrian families. there were Hindus buy majority were Christians.i wish NFP could write something on the old ways in Saddar and cantonment area. these were not posh localities like Clifton and bath island but Elphy was certainly an elite class area. we sold our apartment behind fashion arcade and all moved out of Pakistan as it was no longer safe for Shias to continue to live the risky lives in karachi. now that we are living a peaceful and comfortable life in the west we miss Saddar. will always miss it.
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Gem Khan
Oct 16, 2016 12:19am
Wow this is amazing. Proud to be a Pakistani.
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Gem Khan
Oct 16, 2016 12:19am
@Krishna dude there is no match of Karachi in the world.
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Shahid
Oct 16, 2016 02:04am
Tremendous Karachi.good memorise Salam to NFP to prsent Khi Past n present.
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S. A. M.
Oct 16, 2016 03:43am
@ASC, Proud Indian yes I wish that we could again live together like pre partition days. love for India from a Pakistani.
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MSK
Oct 16, 2016 05:28am
Excellent work. Remarkable duty to the City of Karachi, now a neglected city!
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Salman
Oct 16, 2016 10:42am
NFP has touched upon a very important and thought provoking point throughout this article in very subtle way, that is, appearance of commercial and residential areas on mangroves islands, encroachment of ever-growing housings adjacent to beaches and pollution of seawaters. It makes me wonder if the provincial or national government has any policy towards environmental protection, conservation or rehabilitation of mangroves.
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Indian warrior
Oct 16, 2016 04:15pm
Amazing pictures .. Thank you so much Dawn n NFP .. great city.
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Khan
Oct 17, 2016 02:11am
Karachis western shore and sands put should be made into coastal preserves to prevent construction of unsightly concrete buildings.
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