THE pluralistic character of Karachi in the past was something to be proud about. The Sindh capital was culturally, and still is, the most diverse city of the country which prided itself on treating its people from a variety of backgrounds as part of a big colourful bouquet.

Here’s an example. On Aug 18, 1970 it was announced that the Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) would make an advance payment of Rs50 each to its Hindu employees in order for them to celebrate janam asthami. Chairman KMC Abrar Hasan Khan had taken the decision in view of the festival which was to fall on Aug 24.

Another facet of the city’s diversity is its migrant community which, too, that week was made to feel a bit comfortable by an important political personality. On Aug 17, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party, assured the Anjuman Tahafuzz-i-Huqooq-i-Muhajireen of his party’s full support in bettering the living conditions of the Mohajirs within the country. According to a press release, Mr Bhutto’s statement came in reply to an appeal made to him and other political leaders by the anjuman in that regard.

Living conditions, among other things, consist of the pieces of construction we live in. On Aug 21, it was decided that all police buildings in the city would now be in direct control of the police department. It would be responsible for their ‘maintenance’ that included all police stations, quarters, lines and headquarters. Formerly, it was the PWD which was in charge of the upkeep of those structures. A sum of Rs300,000 allocated by the finance department had already been put at the disposal of the city police chief for the purpose.

Works of construction, by the way, can be of different kinds — some strong, some weak. Monsoon rains had been wreaking havoc on the city for the previous few days. On Aug 21 it was reported that six inches of rain had been recorded in as many days. Intermittent thunder showers had made life difficult for a vast majority of those sheltered in improvised houses and hutsin the low-lying areas. In the worst affected localities — Shershah, Agra Taj Colony, Bihar Colony, Bhutta Village, Musa Colony, Golimar and Jacob Lines — people were unable to move out of their homes even to get their daily provisions.

But circumstances seldom deter the artist community from expressing themselves. On Aug 18, an exhibition of Shakira Hadi’s artworks titled Don’t Kill Birds opened at the Gallery. Commenting on her work, this newspaper’s critic wrote, “An immigrant in Karachi’s art world, Shakira has emerged with a bold approach in her paintings.” The show was dubbed the first of its kind in presenting unclothed figures. The atmosphere in her paintings, it was claimed, suggested a deep influence of Gauguin in their use of colours and composition.

From paintings to poetry: on Aug 22, eminent poetess Zehra Nigah was the chief guest at a literary sitting at the Karachi Press Club. Answering a question she said being a woman was no barrier to poetic expression. Explaining her withdrawal recently from a mushaira, she told journalists that the mushaira was a cherished institution, very helpful for the growth of poets; but it was not indispensable for poetry. She also recited her poems on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2020