I REMEMBER the time when Karachi was a free-spirited city. People were happy and life was simpler. After a long day, people would unwind by meeting friends outside their homes, where most of the men congregated.

Children played on the streets, their laughter echoing all around. Youngsters would spend many hours outside in the fresh air playing tag, seven stones (pitto baari), oonch neech, barf paani, etc or simply cycling.

Sometimes, if there was an empty plot in the area or a dead-end street, a net would be put up and badminton matches would be held; everyone participated. Children were happy and there were few worries as the times were safer compared to today.

It was a daily ritual for the majority of people to come out of their homes to talk to friends before bedtime, while the women joined their friends to walk and chat.

Then, as if suddenly, things changed — the streets became dangerous places. Due to the changing social and political paradigm, unsavoury elements started prowling the streets. Political activists clashed and attacked each other’s areas, sometimes spilling blood.

There was an increase in crime, including mafia-style shootouts in public places, followed by robberies and other crimes. As time passed, no one was safe outdoors as street criminals not only snatched your valuables but also your sense of security and freedom.

People preferred to stay indoors, waiting for law and order to be restored. But that never happened. And then Karachi changed forever.

Happy streets that used to overflow with life became empty. The local night watchman, who would walk around the streets armed with nothing more than a stick whistling or calling on the hour, was long gone.

He was replaced by barriers, walls and gates — built illegally. The authorities were swift in pulling these down on several occasions but failed to provide the alternative protection to the people.

But then we saw temporary barricades replaced by permanent ones, and a guard posted there to allow people to pass through and stop the flow of unwanted people. However, the unarmed guards were soon no match for the organised criminals, which lead to the advent of companies that provided security guards. These measures didn’t improve the situation, but they helped give people a false sense of security.

If you walk around Karachi today — which is itself a dangerous feat — you will see many barriers blocking not only main and side roads but streets and lanes as well. Some of these barriers are permanent, which cause the public a lot of problems.

It is unfortunate that today’s children live in the walled city of Karachi and will probably never experience the freedom of living in a safe environment of a barrier-free city.

Published in Dawn December 21th , 2014