'Chalo Chalo, Syria Chalo', and other graffiti tales

Karachi's walls have become a canvas for spreading political, social and religious messages.
Published January 2, 2015

By Muhammad Umar

Karachi's walls have become a canvas for spreading political, social and religious messages.

 'Those who paint the names of our prophets where we urinate are infidels.' — Photo by Muhammad Umar
'Those who paint the names of our prophets where we urinate are infidels.' — Photo by Muhammad Umar

 'Rid Karachi of weapons,' the message reads. — Photo by Muhammad Umar
'Rid Karachi of weapons,' the message reads. — Photo by Muhammad Umar

 'We will stand by our police.' — Photo by Muhammad Umar
'We will stand by our police.' — Photo by Muhammad Umar

 'Eliminate 'no-go' areas from Karachi.' — Photo by Muhammad Umar
'Eliminate 'no-go' areas from Karachi.' — Photo by Muhammad Umar

 This bus wasn't fast enough for banned religious outfit Sipahe Sahaba Pakistan's supporter. — Photo by Muhammad Umar
This bus wasn't fast enough for banned religious outfit Sipahe Sahaba Pakistan's supporter. — Photo by Muhammad Umar

 A British-era building is plastered with a British Paints public service message which calls on citizens to obey the law. — Photo by Muhammad Umar
A British-era building is plastered with a British Paints public service message which calls on citizens to obey the law. — Photo by Muhammad Umar

 An advert for 'spiritual healer' Pir Kamal Shah. — Photo by Muhammad Umar
An advert for 'spiritual healer' Pir Kamal Shah. — Photo by Muhammad Umar

 'Long live Islam, death to Daesh (IS)' the message reads. — Photo by Muhammad Umar
'Long live Islam, death to Daesh (IS)' the message reads. — Photo by Muhammad Umar

 'We are prepared to lay down our lives for the honour of Hazrat Aisha (Prophet Mohammad's [PBUH] wife. — Photo by Muhammad Umar
'We are prepared to lay down our lives for the honour of Hazrat Aisha (Prophet Mohammad's [PBUH] wife. — Photo by Muhammad Umar

 Marriage proposals under the clouds of a magic spell? Pir Nadir Shah can help, as the message says. — Photo by Muhammad Umar
Marriage proposals under the clouds of a magic spell? Pir Nadir Shah can help, as the message says. — Photo by Muhammad Umar

 'Do not litter your streets.' — Photo by Muhammad Umar
'Do not litter your streets.' — Photo by Muhammad Umar

 'Shias and Sunnis are brothers,' the graffiti reads. — Photo by Muhammad Umar
'Shias and Sunnis are brothers,' the graffiti reads. — Photo by Muhammad Umar

 'Death to the supporters of Daesh (IS) who bomb shrines.' — Photo by Muhammad Umar
'Death to the supporters of Daesh (IS) who bomb shrines.' — Photo by Muhammad Umar

 This message calls on people to march to Syria. — Photo by Muhammad Umar
This message calls on people to march to Syria. — Photo by Muhammad Umar

 'Ending child abuse is our responsibility. Call our helpline to stop the sexual, mental and physical abuse of children,' the message reads. — Photo by Muhammad Umar
'Ending child abuse is our responsibility. Call our helpline to stop the sexual, mental and physical abuse of children,' the message reads. — Photo by Muhammad Umar

 'Junaid Jamshed is an infidel,' the message reads. — Photo by Muhammad Umar
'Junaid Jamshed is an infidel,' the message reads. — Photo by Muhammad Umar

 'Release all Baloch prisoners,' Baloch Student Organisation's (Azad) message reads. — Photo by Muhammad Umar
'Release all Baloch prisoners,' Baloch Student Organisation's (Azad) message reads. — Photo by Muhammad Umar

 'Stop the institutional genocide of the Kutchis,' the message reads. — Photo by Muhammad Umar
'Stop the institutional genocide of the Kutchis,' the message reads. — Photo by Muhammad Umar