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The [[University of Karachi]], simply referred as KU, is the largest university in Pakistan having one of the largest faculities in the world. Coincidentally it is located beside the [[NED University of Engineering and Technology]], the oldest engineering institute of Pakistan. Karachi is also host to the [[Institute of Business Administration, Karachi|Institute of Business Administration (IBA)]], founded in 1955 is the oldest business school outside North America, Alumni of IBA include former Prime Minister [[Shaukat Aziz]]. [[Pakistan Navy Engineering College]] (PNEC) a part of NUST ([[National University of Sciences and Technology]]), offering a wide range of engineering programs including Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Pakistan (Pakistan Engineering Council ranking), is also located in Karachi as well as Hamdard University that is the largest private university of Pakistan with an international brand name. Karachi is also home of Head Office of [[Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan]], which is the most prestigious institute of country producing Chartered Accountants who are leading the corporate sector of the country. The Institute was established in 1961 and has since produced over 5,000 members. Leading medical schools of Pakistan like The [[Aga Khan University]] and [[Dow University of Health Sciences]] have their campuses in Karachi. [[NUCES-FAST]] (National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences) formerly [[FAST-ICS]], the leader in computer education in Pakistan operates two campuses in Karachi.
The [[University of Karachi]], simply referred as KU, is the largest university in Pakistan having one of the largest faculities in the world. Coincidentally it is located beside the [[NED University of Engineering and Technology]], the oldest engineering institute of Pakistan. Karachi is also host to the [[Institute of Business Administration, Karachi|Institute of Business Administration (IBA)]], founded in 1955 is the oldest business school outside North America, Alumni of IBA include former Prime Minister [[Shaukat Aziz]]. [[Pakistan Navy Engineering College]] (PNEC) a part of NUST ([[National University of Sciences and Technology]]), offering a wide range of engineering programs including Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Pakistan (Pakistan Engineering Council ranking), is also located in Karachi as well as Hamdard University that is the largest private university of Pakistan with an international brand name. Karachi is also home of Head Office of [[Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan]], which is the most prestigious institute of country producing Chartered Accountants who are leading the corporate sector of the country. The Institute was established in 1961 and has since produced over 5,000 members. Leading medical schools of Pakistan like The [[Aga Khan University]] and [[Dow University of Health Sciences]] have their campuses in Karachi. [[NUCES-FAST]] (National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences) formerly [[FAST-ICS]], the leader in computer education in Pakistan operates two campuses in Karachi.

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==Infrastructure==
==Infrastructure==

Revision as of 18:29, 24 October 2009

Not to be confused with Karachchi, Karashi, or Karachay-Cherkessia.
Karachi
ڪراچي
کراچی
City District
From top: Jinnah Tomb, Mohatta Palace, Teen Talwar, Habib Bank Plaza, Oyster Rocks, Financial District, Cantt. Station
From top: Jinnah Tomb, Mohatta Palace, Teen Talwar, Habib Bank Plaza, Oyster Rocks, Financial District, Cantt. Station
Official logo of Karachi
Location of Karachi in Sindh and in Pakistan.
Location of Karachi in Sindh and in Pakistan.
Country Pakistan
ProvinceSindh
Municipal Committee1853
Municipal Corporation1933
Metropolitan Corporation1976
City District Government14th August 2001
City CouncilCity Complex, Gulshan Town
Towns
18
Government
[1]
 • TypeCity District
 • City NazimSyed Mustafa Kamal
 • Naib NazimNasreen Jalil
 • DCOJaved Hanif
Area
[2]
 • Total
3,530 km2 (1,360 sq mi)
Elevation
8 m (26 ft)
Population
 (2009)[3]
 • Total
18,000,000
 • Density5,099/km2 (13,210/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+5 (PST)
Area code021
Websitehttp://www.karachicity.gov.pk

Karachiⓘ (Template:Lang-sd, Template:Lang-ur, Karāchi) is the largest city, main seaport and the financial capital of Pakistan, and the capital of the province of Sindh. It is the 3rd largest city in the world by population and 20th largest metropolitan area in the world,[4] in terms of metropolitan population. It is Pakistan's premier centre of banking, industry, and trade. Karachi is also home to Pakistan's largest corporations, including those that are involved in textiles, shipping, automotive industry, entertainment, the arts, fashion, advertising, publishing, software development and medical research. The city is also a major hub of higher education in South Asia and the wider Islamic World.[5] Karachi has been ranked as a Beta world city, as of 2008.[6][7]

Karachi enjoys its prominent position due to its geographical location on a bay, making it the financial capital of the country. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. It was the original capital of Pakistan until the construction of Islamabad and is the location of the Port of Karachi and Port Bin Qasim, one of the region's largest and busiest ports. The city's population increased dramatically at the time of independence, when hundreds of thousands of refugees from India, Burma and other parts of South Asia came to settle in the city.

Karachi city is spread over 3,530 km2 (1,360 sq mi) in area. It is locally known as the "City of Lights" (روشنين جو شهر) for its liveliness, and the "City of the Quaid" (شهرِ قائد), having been the birth and burial place of Quaid-e-Azam (Muhammad Ali Jinnah), the founder of Pakistan, who also made the city his home after Pakistan's independence.

History

Main article: History of Karachi
A view of Karachi city from 1889

The area of Karachi was known to the ancient Greeks by many names: Krokola, the place where Alexander the Great camped to prepare a fleet for Babylonia after his campaign in the Indus Valley; 'Morontobara' (probably Manora island near Karachi harbour), from where Alexander's admiral Nearchus set sail; and Barbarikon, a port of the Indo-Greek Bactrian kingdom. It was later known to the Arabs as Debal, the starting point for Muhammad bin Qasim and his army in 712 CE. Karachi was founded as "Kolachi" by Baloch tribes from Balochistan and Makran, who established a small fishing community in the area.[8] Descendants of the original community still live in the area on the small island of Abdullah Goth, which is located near the Karachi Port. The original name "Kolachi" also survives in the name of a well-known Karachi locality named "Mai Kolachi". The city was visited by Ottoman Admiral Seydi Ali Reis in 1550s and mentioned in his book Mirat ul Memalik (The Mirror of Countries), 1557 CE.[9] The present city started life as a fishing settlement when a Balochi fisherwoman called Mai Kolachi took up residence and started a family. The village that later grew out of this settlement was known as Kolachi-jo-Goth (Village of Kolachi in Sindhi). By the late 1700s, the village was trading across the Arabian Sea with Muscat and the Persian Gulf region. A small fort was constructed for its protection, armed with cannons imported from Muscat. The fort had two main gateways: one facing the sea, known as Kharra Darwaaza (Brackish Gate) (Kharadar) and the other facing the Lyari River known as the Meet'ha Darwaaza (Sweet Gate) (Mithadar).[10] The location of these gates correspond to the modern areas of Kharadar (Khārā Dar) and Mithadar (Mīṭhā Dar).

After sending a couple of exploratory missions to the area, the British East India Company conquered the town when an American ship the Wellesley anchored off Manora island on 1 February 1839. Two days later, the little fort surrendered without a shot being fired on either side. The town was later annexed to the British Indian Empire when Sindh was conquered by Charles James Napier in Battle of Miani on 17 February 1843. On his departure in 1847, he is said to have remarked, "Would that I could come again to see you in your grandeur!". Karachi was made the capital of Sindh in the 1840s. On Napier's departure, it was added along with the rest of Sindh to the Bombay Presidency, a move that caused considerable resentment among the native Sindhis. The British realised the importance of the city as a military cantonment and as a port for exporting the produce of the Indus River basin, and rapidly developed its harbour for shipping. The foundations of a city municipal government were laid down and infrastructure development was undertaken. New businesses started opening up and the population of the town began rising rapidly. The arrival of the troops of the Kumpany Bahadur in 1839 spawned the foundation of the new section, the military cantonment. The cantonment formed the basis of the 'white' city, where the Indians were not allowed free access. The 'white' town was modeled after English industrial parent-cities, where work and residential spaces were separated, as were residential from recreational places. Karachi was divided into two major poles. The 'black' town in the northwest, now enlarged to accommodate the burgeoning Indian mercantile population. In 1857, the First Indian War for Independence broke out in South Asia and the 21st Native Infantry stationed in Karachi declared allegiance to rebels, joining their cause on 10 September 1857. Nevertheless, the British were able to quickly reassert control over Karachi and defeat the uprising.

Karachi Airport in 1943 during World War II

In 1864, the first telegraphic message was sent from India to England, when a direct telegraph connection was laid between Karachi and London.[11] In 1878, the city was connected to the rest of British India by rail. Public building projects, such as Frere Hall (1865) and the Empress Market (1890), were undertaken. In 1876, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, was born in the city, which by now had become a bustling city with mosques, churches, courthouses, kota, paved streets and a magnificent harbour. By 1899, Karachi had become the largest wheat exporting port in the East.[12] The population of the city was about 105,000 inhabitants by the end of the 19th century, with a cosmopolitan mix of Muslims, Hindus, Zoroastrians, Christians and Jews. There were also various linguistic groups, such as Urdu speakers, Punjabis as well as Pashtuns and Balochis. The multi-ethnic mix can be imagined from the fact that there are more Pashtuns in Karachi than in any city of the North-West Frontier Province. In addition to local groups, there were also immigrants of Persian, Lebanese, and European backgrounds. By the turn of the century, the city faced street congestion, which led to Southwest Asia's first tramway system being laid down in 1900. British colonialists embarked on a number of public works of sanitation and transportation— such as gravel paved streets, proper drains, street sweepers, and a network of trams and horse-drawn trolleys. Colonial administrators also set up military camps, a European inhabited quarter, and organised marketplaces, of which the Empress Market is most notable.

By the time the new country of Pakistan was formed in 1947, after which the majority of Karachi's Hindu population was forced to flee to India, Karachi had become a bustling metropolis with beautiful classical and colonial European styled buildings, lining the city’s thoroughfares. Karachi was chosen as the capital of Pakistan, which at the time also included modern day Bangladesh, a region located more than 1,000 km (620 mi) away, and not physically connected to Pakistan. In 1947, Karachi was the focus for settlement by Muslim immigrants from India, who drastically expanded the city's population and transformed the demographics and economy. In 1958, the capital of Pakistan was moved from Karachi to Rawalpindi and then in 1960, to the newly built Islamabad. This marked the start of a long period of decline in the city, marked by a lack of development.[13] Karachi had both a municipal corporation and a Karachi Divisional Council in the 1960s, which developed plans for schools, colleges, roads, municipal gardens, and parks. The Karachi Divisional Council had separate working committees for education, roads, and residential societies development and planning.[14] During the 1960s, Karachi was seen as an economic role model around the world. Many countries sought to emulate Pakistan's economic planning strategy and one of them, South Korea, copied the city's second "Five-Year Plan" and World Financial Centre in Seoul is designed and modeled after Karachi.[15][16]

The 1970s saw major labour struggles in Karachi's industrial estates, (see: Karachi labour unrest of 1972). The 1980s and 1990s saw an influx of refugees from the Soviet war in Afghanistan into Karachi, they were followed in smaller numbers by refugees escaping from Iran.[17] Political tensions between the Muhajir and other native groups (e.g. Sindhis, Punjabis, Pashtuns, and others), also erupted and the city was wracked with political and racial violence. The period from 1992 to 1994 is regarded as the bloodiest period in the history of the city, when the Army commenced its Operation Clean-up against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. Most of these tensions have now simmered down. Today, Karachi continues to be an important financial and industrial centre and handles most of the overseas trade of Pakistan and the other Central Asian countries. It accounts for a lion's share of the GDP of Pakistan,[18] and a large proportion of the country's white collar workers.[19]

Geography

File:STS087-715-70.JPG
Satellite view of Karachi

Karachi is located in the south of Sindh, on the coast of the Arabian Sea. Most of the land comprised largely of flat or rolling plains, with hills on the western and Manora Island and the Oyster Rocks. The Arabian Sea beach lines the southern coastline of Karachi. Mangroves and creeks of the Indus delta can be found towards the south east side of the city. Towards the west and the north is Cape Monze, locally known as Raas Muari, an area marked with projecting sea cliffs and rocky sandstone promontories. Some excellent beaches can also be found in this area.

Climate

Main article: Climate of Karachi

Karachi features an arid climate, albeit a more moderate version of this climate. Located on the coast, Karachi tends to have a relatively mild climate with low levels of average precipitation (approximately 250 mm per annum), the bulk of which occurs during the July-August monsoon season. Winters are mild and the summers are hot, however the proximity to the sea maintains humidity levels at a near-constant high and cool sea breezes relieve the heat of the summer months. Due to high temperatures during the summer (ranging from 30 to 44 degrees Celsius from April to August), the winter months (November to February) are generally considered the best times to visit Karachi. July, December and January have pleasing and cloudy weather when most of the social events and tourism, ranging from weddings to charity fundraisers, frequently take place. In 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2009 Karachi was affected by heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. On June 23, 2007 Cyclone Yemyin lashed the city with heavy downpours and strong windstorms killing 200 people. Also on July 18, 2009, there was severe flooding in which 235mm rain occurred in just 14 hours, killing 20 and injuring 150 people. Then on August 31, 2009 147.5mm rain partially submerged the city. [citation needed] Highest recorded temperature is 48 °C (118 °F) and lowest is 0.0 °C (32.0 °F).[20]

Climate data for Karachi, Pakistan
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Source: [21] & [22]

Architecture

See also: List of tallest buildings in Karachi
Frere Hall, Karachi
Lighthouse of Manora Island

Karachi has a rich collection of buildings and structures of various architectural styles. The downtown district of Saddar contains a rich collection of early 20th century architecture, ranging in style from neo-classical KPT building to the Sindh High Court Building. During the British rule, Britishers wanted to model their Empire along the lines of ancient Rome and classical architecture was considered most appropriate for built monuments of the Raj. [citation needed] Karachi acquired its first neo-Gothic or Indo-Gothic building when Frere Hall, Empress Market and St. Patrick's Cathedral were completed. English Tudor style was introduced in Karachi Gymkhana and the Boat Club. Italian Renaissance was very popular and was the language for St. Joseph's Convent (1870) and the Sind Club (1883).[23] Classical style made a comeback in the late nineteenth century as seen in Lady Dufferin Hospital (1898)[24] and the Cantt. Railway Station. While 'Italianate' buildings remained poplar, an eclectic blend termed Indo-Saracenic or Anglo-Mughal also began to emerge in some locations.

The local mercantile community began acquiring impressive mercantile structures. Zaibunnisa Street in Saddar area (known as Elphinstone Street in British days) is an example where the mercantile groups adopted the 'Italianate' and Indo-Saracenic style to demonstrate their familiarity with western culture and their own. The Hindu Gymkhana (1925) and Mohatta Palace are the example of Mughal revival buildings.[25] The Sindh Wildlife Conservation Building, located in Saddar, served as a Freemasonic Lodge until the time it was taken over by the government. However, there are talks of it being taken away from this custody and being renovated and the Lodge being preserved with its original woodwork ad ornate wooden staircase.[26]

In recent years, a large number of architecturally distinctive, even eccentric, buildings have sprung up throughout Karachi. Notable examples of contemporary architecture include the Pakistan State Oil Headquarters building and the Karachi Financial Towers. The city has numerous examples of modern Islamic architecture, including the Aga Khan University hospital, Masjid e Tooba, Faran Mosque, Bait-ul Mukarram Mosque and Quaid's Mausoleum. One of the unique cultural elements of Karachi is that the residences, which are two- or three-story townhouses, are built with the front yard protected by a high brick wall. Ibrahim Ismail Chundrigar Road displays a wide range of supertall buildings. The most prominent examples include the Habib Bank Plaza, PRC Towers and the MCB Tower which is the tallest skyscraper in Pakistan.[27] Perhaps one of the most spectacular buildings of modern times, Port Tower Complex, a supertall skyscraper is proposed in the Clifton District of the metropolis. At 593 metres, the building will comprise a hotel, a shopping centre, an exhibition centre and a revolving restaurant with a viewing gallery offering a panoramic view of the coastline and the city.[28]

Culture

Main article: Culture of Karachi
Mohatta Palace
National Museum of Pakistan

Karachi is home to some of Pakistan's important cultural institutions. The National Academy of Performing Arts,[29] located in the newly renovated Hindu Gymkhana offers a two year diploma course in performing arts that include classical music and contemporary theatre. The All Pakistan Music Conference, linked to the 45-year old similar institution in Lahore, has been holding its Annual Music Festival since its inception in 2004. The Festival is now a well-established feature of the city life of Karachi that is attended by more than 3000 citizens of Karachi as well as people from other cities.[30] The National Arts Council (Koocha-e-Saqafat) also has musical performances and Mushaira (poetry recitations). The Kara Film Festival organized annually showcases independent Pakistani and international films and documentaries.

Karachi has many museums including the Mohatta Palace that regularly has exhibitions as well as the National Museum of Pakistan. Karachi Expo Centre hosts many regional and international exhibitions.

The everyday lifestyle of Karachi differs substantially from that of other Pakistani cities/towns. The culture of Karachi is characterized by the blending of South Asian, Middle Eastern, Central Asian and Western influences, as well as the status of the city as a major international business centre. Karachi also hosts the largest middle class stratum of the country.[citation needed]

Sports

See also: List of sports venues in Karachi
Karachi Gymkhana Ground, overlooking downtown Karachi

Cricket is the most popular sport of the city and is usually played in many small grounds around the city. Gully cricket is played in the narrow by-lanes of the city. Night time cricket can be seen at weekends when people play brightly lit night matches on less traversed city streets. The major venue for cricket matches is the National Stadium but matches are also hosted at the UBL Sports Complex, The A.O. Cricket Stadium, the KCCA Cricket Ground, the Karachi Gymkhana Field and the DHA Cricket Stadium. A popular local game is Malh (Sindhi: ملهه). All Sindh Malh ُOrganization hosts All Sindh Malakhirro every year in Karachi.[citation needed]

Other popular sports in the city are hockey, boxing, association football, golf, table tennis, snooker, squash, and horse racing. Sports like badminton, volleyball and basketball are also popular in schools and colleges. Football is especially popular in Lyari Town which has always been a football-mad locality in Karachi. The Peoples Football Stadium is perhaps the largest football stadium in Pakistan with respect to capacity, easily accommodating around 40,000 people. In 2005, the city hosted the SAFF Championship at this ground, as well as the Geo Super Football League 2007 which attracted capacity crowds during the games.

The city also has facilities for hockey (the Hockey Stadium of Pakistan, UBL Hockey Ground), boxing (KPT Sports Complex), squash (Jehangir Jani Squash Complex) and polo. Marinas and Boating Clubs also add to the diverse sporting activities in Karachi. Karachi has a number of sporting clubs that provide sporting facilities to their members, including tennis, badminton and squash courts, swimming pools, jogging tracks, gymnasiums, billiards and much more. There are two world class golf clubs, at DHA and Karsaz.[31]

Media

Main articles: Cinema in Karachi and List of Pakistani television stations

Many of Pakistan’s independent television and radio channels are based in Karachi including world popular Business Plus, Geo TV, CNBC Pakistan, Hum TV, TV ONE, AAJ TV, ARY Digital, Indus Television NetworkK.T.N Kawish television network Sindh T V and Dawn News as well as several local stations. Local channels includes Metro One.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Karachi
File:KarachiFinancial.jpg
A part of Karachi's financial district
File:Karachi At Night.JPEG
Karachi at night
View of the I.I.Chundrigar Rd skyline, heart of the financial district of Karachi

Karachi is the financial and commercial capital of Pakistan. In line with its status as a major port and the country's largest metropolis, it accounts for a lion's share of Pakistan's revenue. According to the Federal Board of Revenue's 2006-2007 year book, tax and customs units in Karachi were responsible for 46.75% of direct taxes, 33.65% of federal excise tax, and 23.38% of domestic sales tax.[32] Karachi also accounts for 75.14% of customs duty and 79% of sales tax on imports.[32] Therefore, Karachi generates a significant 53.38% of the total collections of the Federal Board of Revenue (since renamed as the Central Board of Revenue), out of which 53.33% are customs duty and sales tax on imports.[32] (Note: Revenue collected from Karachi includes revenue from some other areas since the Large Tax Unit (LTU) Karachi and Regional Tax Offices (RTOs) Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur & Quetta cover the entire province of Sindh and Balochistan[32]). Karachi's indigenous contribution to national revenue is 25%.[18]

Karachi produces about 30 percent of value added in large scale manufacturing[33] A substantial chunk of Sindh’s GDP is attributed to Karachi[34][35] (the GDP of Sindh as a percentage of Pakistan’s total GDP has traditionally hovered around 28%/30%[34][35][36][37]). Karachi’s GDP is around 20% of the total GDP of Pakistan.[18][38] A PricewaterhouseCoopers study released in 2007, that surveyed the GDP (2005) of the top cities in the world, calculated Karachi’s GDP(PPP) to be $55 billion[39] (projected to be $127 billion in 2020 at a growth rate of 5.8%[40]). It confirmed Karachi’s status as Pakistan’s largest economy, well ahead of the next two biggest cities Lahore and Faisalabad having a reported GDP(PPP) of $28 billion and $10 billion, respectively.[39] Karachi's high GDP is based on its mega industrial base, with a high dependency also on the financial sector. Textile, Cement, Steel, Heavy machinery, chemicals, food, Banking, Insurance are the major segments contributing to Karachi's GDP. In February 2007, the World Bank identified Karachi as the most business-friendly city in Pakistan.[41] Karachi is the nerve center of Pakistan's economy. The economic stagnation due to political anarchy, ethnic strife and resultant military operation during late 80s and 90s led to efflux of industry from Karachi. Most of Pakistan's public and private banks are headquartered on Karachi's I.I. Chundrigar Road, while most major foreign multinational corporations operating in Pakistan have their headquarters in Karachi. The Karachi Stock Exchange is the largest stock exchange in Pakistan, and is considered by many economists to be one of the prime reasons for Pakistan's 8% GDP growth across 2005.[42]

Recently, Karachi has seen an expansion of information and communications technology and electronic media and has become the software outsourcing hub of Pakistan. Call centres for foreign companies have been targeted as a significant area of growth, with the government making efforts to reduce taxes by as much as 10% in order to gain foreign investments in the IT sector.[43][44] Many of Pakistan’s independent television and radio channels are based in Karachi including world popular Business Plus, AAJ News, Geo TV, KTN,[45] Sindh TV,[46] CNBC Pakistan, TV ONE, ARY Digital, Indus Television NetworkSamaa tv and Dawn News as well as several local stations.

Karachi has several large industrial zones such as SITE, Korangi, Northern Bypass Industrial Zone, Bin Qasim and North Karachi located on the fringes of the main city.[47] The primary areas are textiles, pharmaceuticals, steel, and automobiles. In addition, Karachi has a vibrant cottage industry and there is a rapidly flourishing Free Zone with an annual growth rate of nearly 6.5%. The Karachi Expo Centre hosts many regional and international exhibitions.[48] There are many development projects proposed, approved and under construction in Karachi. Among projects of note, Emaar Properties is proposing to invest $43bn (£22.8bn) in Karachi to develop Bundal Island, which is a 12,000 acre (49 km²) island just off the coast of Karachi.[49] The Karachi Port Trust is planning a Rs. 20 billion, 1,947 feet (593 m) high Port Tower Complex on the Clifton shoreline.[50][51] It will comprise a hotel, a shopping center, an exhibition center and a revolving restaurant with a viewing gallery offering a panoramic view of the coastline and the city.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Karachi
Trend of population growth (in millions) in Karachi

The population and demographic distribution in Karachi has undergone numerous changes over the past 150 years. Non-governmental and international sources have estimated that Karachi's current population is about 12 to 18 million[53][54][55]– a huge increase over its population in 1947 (400,000). It is estimated that over 90% of its population are migrants from different backgrounds. The city's population is currently growing at about 5% per year (mainly on account of rural-urban internal migration), including an estimated 45,000 migrant workers coming to the city every month from different parts of Pakistan.[56]

Before 1947, Karachi had communities of Sindhis, Balochs, Parsis, Hindus, Christian, Jews, Goans, Armenians, Chinese, British, Lebanese and Gujaratis. After independence of Pakistan, a large number of Sindhi Hindus and Sindhi Sikhs left the city for Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Punjab and were replaced by Muslim refugees also known as Muhajirs. The Muhajirs migrated from different parts of India however the majority of them spoke Urdu.[57] Currently, Karachi has a cosmopolitan mix of many ethno-linguistic groups from all over Pakistan and refugees from neighboring countries.[58] The Sheedis, the local name for Afro-Pakistanis, trace their roots to African slaves.[59]

After Pakistan's civil war in 1971, thousands of Biharis and Bengalis from Bangladesh arrived in the city followed by the refugees from Burma and Uganda. Since 1979, due to the Soviet war in Afghanistan and continued upheavals in their country, a steady stream of Afghan refugees have also taken up permanent residence in and around Karachi.[60] These refugees now number more than one and a half million and comprise a number of ethnic groups, Mostly Pashtuns,and some Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, Nuristani and Turkmen. Many other refugees from Iran, Tajikistan and Afghanistan nations have also settled permanently in the city. With an estimated 4 million ethnic Pashtuns,[61] Karachi hosts one of the largest Pashtun populations in the world.

According to the census of Pakistan 1998, the religious breakdown of the city is as follows:[62] Muslim (96.45%), Christian (2.42%), Hindu (0.86%), Ahmadi (0.17%) and Other (0.10%). (Other religious groups include Parsis, Sikhs, Bahai, Jews and Buddhists).

The most commonly spoken language in Karachi is Urdu, the national language. However Sindhi, Punjabi, Pashto and Balochi are also widely spoken in the city. As per the census of Pakistan 1998, linguistic distribution of the city is:[62] Urdu (48.52%), Punjabi (13.94%), Pashto (11.42%) , Sindhi (7.22%), Balochi (4.34%), Saraiki (2.11%) and Other (12.44%). (Other languages mainly include Gujarati and Memoni with smaller populations of Dari, Brahui, Makrani, Hindko, Khowar, Burushaski, Arabic and Persian ).

Government

Main articles: City District Government of Karachi, List of mayors of Karachi, and List of Union Councils of Karachi
Karachi Port Trust Building
File:Civic centre Karachi.jpeg
Civic Centre. Head Office of the City District Government, Karachi
Karachi Municipal Corporation Building

The City of Karachi Municipal Act was promulgated in 1933. Initially the Municipal Corporation comprised the mayor, the deputy mayor and 57 councillors. The Karachi Municipal Corporation was changed to a Metropolitan Corporation in 1976. The administrative area of Karachi was a second-level subdivision known as Karachi Division, which was subdivided into five districts: Karachi Central, Karachi East, Karachi South, Karachi West and Malir. In 2000, the national government implemented a new devolution plan which abolished the second-tier divisions and merged the five districts of Karachi into a new City District, structured as a three-tiered federation, with the two lower tiers composed of 18 towns and 178 union councils (UC).[63]

The towns are governed by elected municipal administrations responsible for infrastructure and spatial planning, development facilitation, and municipal services (water, sanitation, solid waste, repairing roads, parks, street lights, and traffic engineering), with some functions being retained by the City-District Government (CDG).[63] The third-tier 178 union councils are each composed of thirteen directly elected members including a Nazim (mayor) and a Naib Nazim (deputy mayor). The UC Nazim heads the union administration and is responsible for facilitating the CDG to plan and execute municipal services, as well as for informing higher authorities about public concerns and complaints. Naimatullah Khan was the first Nazim of Karachi and Shafiq-Ur-Rehman Paracha was the first DCO of Karachi, Paracha even served as the last Commissioner of Karachi.

In the elections of 2005, Mustafa Kamal was elected City Nazim of Karachi to succeed Naimatullah Khan, and Nasreen Jalil was elected as the City Naib Nazim. Mustafa Kamal was previously the provincial minister for information technology in Sindh. Mustafa Kamal is advancing the development trail and has been actively involved in maintaining care of the city's municipal systems.[64] Mustafa Kamal has completely changed the karachi city and started many development projects since than karachi has been converted into a real modern city his aim of making Karachi a new Dubai is up there recently Foreign Policy announced top three mayor of the world and one of them is Mustafa kamal as Mayor of the moment There are also six military cantonments administered by the Pakistan Army which do not form part of the City District Government of Karachi.

    Districts
    Karachi East
    Karachi West
    Karachi South
    Karachi Central
    Malir
    Korangi
    Kemari
Cantonments
A. Karachi Cantonment
B. Clifton Cantonment
C. Korangi Creek Cantonment
D. Faisal Cantonment
E. Malir Cantonment
F. Manora Cantonment

Education

Main articles: Education in Karachi, List of colleges in Karachi, and List of universities in Karachi
National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences main building, Karachi Campus

The education in Karachi is divided into five levels: primary (grades one through five); middle (grades six through eight); high (grades nine and ten, leading to the Secondary School Certificate); intermediate (grades eleven and twelve, leading to a Higher Secondary School Certificate); and university programs leading to graduate and advanced degrees. Karachi has both public and private educational institutions from primary to university level. Most educational institutions are gender based from primary to university level. The most famous and prestigious school in Pakistan, Karachi Grammar School is located at Karachi. It is the oldest school in Pakistan and has educated many Pakistani businessman and politicians.

The Narayan Jagannath High School at Karachi was the first government school established in Sindh. It was opened in October 1855. Karachi has well known educational institutes of international standards. Most universities of Karachi are considered to be amongst the premier educational institutions of Pakistan. For 2008-09, the city's literacy rate was estimated at 65.26%,[65] 1st Highest in Pakistan.[66] with a GER of 111%, highest in Sindh.[67] The other well know schools are Little Folks Secondry School, Habib Public school, Mama Parsi Girl school, Civilizations Public School, Ladybird Grammar School, The City school, Beaconhouse School System, Shahwilayat school, St. Patricks School, St. Josephs Convent School, St. Michaels Convent, etc.

The University of Karachi, simply referred as KU, is the largest university in Pakistan having one of the largest faculities in the world. Coincidentally it is located beside the NED University of Engineering and Technology, the oldest engineering institute of Pakistan. Karachi is also host to the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), founded in 1955 is the oldest business school outside North America, Alumni of IBA include former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. Pakistan Navy Engineering College (PNEC) a part of NUST (National University of Sciences and Technology), offering a wide range of engineering programs including Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Pakistan (Pakistan Engineering Council ranking), is also located in Karachi as well as Hamdard University that is the largest private university of Pakistan with an international brand name. Karachi is also home of Head Office of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan, which is the most prestigious institute of country producing Chartered Accountants who are leading the corporate sector of the country. The Institute was established in 1961 and has since produced over 5,000 members. Leading medical schools of Pakistan like The Aga Khan University and Dow University of Health Sciences have their campuses in Karachi. NUCES-FAST (National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences) formerly FAST-ICS, the leader in computer education in Pakistan operates two campuses in Karachi.

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Infrastructure

Health and medicine

See also: List of hospitals in Karachi

Karachi district is a centre of research in biomedicine. The City is home to at least 30 public hospitals and more than 80 private hospitals, including Institute for Heart diseases, Spencer eye Hospital, Civil Hospital, PNS Rahat, Abbassi Shaheed Hospital, Aga Khan University hospital, Holy family hospital and Liaqat National Hospital, as well as Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center.Tabba Cardiac Medical Center,Patel Hospital, Layton Benovelant Eye Trust,Lady Dufferin Hospital,National Medical Center.

Transportation

Main article: Transport in Karachi
Jinnah International Airport

The Jinnah International Airport is located in Karachi. It is the largest and busiest airport of Pakistan. It handles 10 million passengers a year. The airport also receives the largest number of foreign airlines, a total of 35 airlines and cargo operators fly to Jinnah International predominantly from the Middle East and Southeast Asia. All of Pakistan's airlines use Karachi as their primary transport hub including PIA - Pakistan International Airlines, Airblue, and Shaheen Air International. The city's old airport terminals are now used for Hajj flights, offices, cargo facilities, and ceremonial visits from heads of state. U.S. Coalition forces used the old terminals for their logistic supply operations as well. The city also has two other airstrips used primarily by the armed forces.

The largest shipping ports in Pakistan are the Port of Karachi and the nearby Port Qasim. These seaports have modern facilities and not only handle trade for Pakistan, but also serve as ports for Afghanistan and the land-locked Central Asian countries. Plans have been announced for new passenger facilities at the Port of Karachi.[68]

Karachi is linked by rail to the rest of the country by Pakistan Railways. The Karachi City Station and Karachi Cantonment Railway Station are the city's two major railway stations. The railway system handles a large amount of freight to and from the Karachi port apart from providing passenger services to people traveling up country. Plans are underway to extend the intra-city railway system to play a part in the city's mass transit through Karachi Circular Railway system. Currently, primarily motorists and minibuses handle commuter traffic, but there are plans to construct a light-rail based mass transit system in the city to decongest the roads and provide quick service to commuters. Feasibility studies have been carried out and a provisional network has been agreed on.

Challenges of rapid expansion

As one of the most rapidly growing cities in the world, Karachi faces challenges that are central to many developing metropolises including traffic, pollution, poverty and street crimes. These problems continue to earn Karachi low rankings in livability comparisons: The Economist ranked Karachi fourth least livable city amongst the 132 cities surveyed[69] and BusinessWeek ranked it 175 out of 215 in livability in 2007, down from 170 in 2006.[70]

Traffic and pollution is a major challenge for Karachi. The level of air pollution in Karachi is estimated to be 20 times higher than World Health Organization standards. [citation needed] A number of new parks have been developed and new trees are being planted in the city to improve the environment and reduce the pollution.

Sister cities

A twin city partnership with Chicago, Illinois, United States, was contemplated and initiated in 2000, but was never implemented.[76]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Government". City District Government of Karachi. Retrieved 2007-11-28.
  2. ^ "About Karachi". City District Government of Karachi. Retrieved 2007-11-28.
  3. ^ "Pakistanis Protest 42-Hour Power Outage in Karachi (Update2)". Bloomberg.com. 2009-07-20. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  4. ^ UN world Urbanization Prospects estimate for 2007
  5. ^ Pakistan City Karachi Online Information
  6. ^ "GaWC - The World According to GaWC 2008". Lboro.ac.uk. 2009-06-03. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  7. ^ "GAWC World Cities Ranking List". Diserio.com. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  8. ^ R Asif (2002) Lyari Expressway: woes of displaced families. Dawn (newspaper). 8 August. Retrieved on 10 January 2008
  9. ^ Mirat ul Memalik
  10. ^ History of Karachi
  11. ^ Christina P Harris (1969) The Persian Gulf Submarine Telegraph of 1864. The Geographical Journal. vol. 135(2). June. pp. 169-190
  12. ^ [Herbert Feldman [1970]: Karachi through a hundred years: the centenary history of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry 1860-1960. 2. ed. Karachi: Oxford UP (1960).]
  13. ^ - History of Karachi
  14. ^ Government archives, Sindh for Municipality and divisional administration
  15. ^ Planning Commission, The Second Five Year Plan: 1960-65, Karachi: Govt. Printing Press, 1960, p. 393
  16. ^ Planning Commission, Pakistan Economic Survey, 1964-65, Rawalpindi: Govt. Printing Press, 1965, p. 212.
  17. ^ Afghan refugees population in Pakistan - Cambridge Journal
  18. ^ a b c Asian Development Bank. "Karachi Mega-Cities Preparation Project" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-01-01.
  19. ^ Economy and development - City District Government, Karachi
  20. ^ "Karachi". Meteorological Department of Pakistan. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
  21. ^ met.gov.pk
  22. ^ bbc.co.uk/weather
  23. ^ - Colonial style buildings of Karachi
  24. ^ Lady Dufferin Hospital
  25. ^ - Historic buildings of Karachi
  26. ^ Daily Times. "Culture department takes notice of Freemason Lodge Building". Retrieved 2009-01-16.
  27. ^ MCB Tower, the current tallest skyscraper of Karachi
  28. ^ Port Tower Complex, Karachi
  29. ^ National Academy of Performing Arts. ""Welcome to National Academy of Performing Arts"". Retrieved 2006-04-17.
  30. ^ The All Pakistan Music Conference History of festival Retrieved on 1 January 2008
  31. ^ [DHA golf Club, Karachi]
  32. ^ a b c d "Federal Board of Revenue Year Book 2006-2007" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-04-12.
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  35. ^ a b Dawn Group of Newspapers. "Sindh, Balochistan's share in GDP drops". Retrieved 2009-01-01.
  36. ^ Dawn Group of Newspapers. "Sindh's GDP estimated at Rs240 billion". Retrieved 2009-01-01.
  37. ^ Dawn Group of Newspapers. "Sindh share in GDP falls by 1pc". Retrieved 2009-01-01.
  38. ^ The Trade & Environment Database. "The Karachi Coastline Case". Retrieved 2009-01-01.
  39. ^ a b City Mayors. "The 150 richest cities in the world by GDP in 2005". Retrieved 2009-01-01.
  40. ^ City Mayors. "The 150 richest cities in the world by GDP in 2020". Retrieved 2009-01-01.
  41. ^ Dawn Group of Newspapers. "World Bank report: Karachi termed most business-friendly". Retrieved 2007-10-15.
  42. ^ Business Week magazine (22 April 2005) Pakistan: After the Crash Retrieved on 1 January 2008
  43. ^ Board of Investment, Pakistan IT Sector Overview Retrieved on 1 January 2008
  44. ^ United Nations INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY POLICY OF PAKISTAN –PROVIDING AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR IT DEVELOPMENT. Retrieved on 1 January 2008
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  46. ^ "Sindh TV". Sindh TV. Retrieved 2008-02-20.
  47. ^ Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry Industrial Zones In PakistanRetrieved on 1 January 2008
  48. ^ Trade Development Authority of Pakistan Karachi Expo Center Retrieved on 1 January 2007
  49. ^ BBC News Pakistan agrees $43bn development Retrieved on 1 January, Al-Nakheel (Dubai Based Company) has prepared a masterplan for devloping Hawks Bay with a cost of $68bn, Limiless (Dubai Based Company) will also invest in Karachi Waterfront Project by investing $20bn for developing 2000acre land of 20000 acre, 2008
  50. ^ Karachi Port Trust. ""K.P.T. Projects"". Retrieved 2006-04-17.
  51. ^ Dawn Group of Newspapers. ""KPT to build Rs20bn tower complex"". Retrieved 2006-04-20.
  52. ^ - Karachi's powder keg: The city of 18 million is Pakistan's financial and cultural center, yet the menace of the Taliban is quietly growing there
  53. ^ Series Overview: The Urban Frontier — Karachi, NPR.org, 2 June 2008
  54. ^ KARACHI: Karachi population to hit 27.5 million in 2020, DAWN - Local; 10 July 2007
  55. ^ Note: The 1998 census showed a population of about 9 million and the City Government estimates "more than 15 million inhabitants". Reasons for the discrepancy include workers living in Karachi but registered as living elsewhere in Pakistan by NADRA (the National Database and Registration Authority); and Afghan refugees, Iranians and others (Indians, Nepalis, Burmese, Bangladeshis etc..) were not counted in the 1998 census.
  56. ^ ""Karachi turning into a ghetto"". Dawn Group of Newspapers. 2006-01-16. Retrieved 2006-04-20.
  57. ^ "In a city of ethnic friction, more tinder". The National. August 24, 2009.
  58. ^ Geography and demography of Karachi
  59. ^ ‘Sheedis have been hurt most by attitudes’, Dawn (newspaper), June 23, 2008
  60. ^ UN Refugee Agency Case Study: Afghans in Pakistan Retrieved on 1 January 2008
  61. ^ "Spate of shootings kill 29 in Karachi". Guardian.co.uk. April 30, 2009.
  62. ^ a b Arif Hasan, Masooma Mohiburl (2009-02-01). "Urban Slums Reports: The case of Karachi, Pakistan" (PDF). Retrieved 2006-04-20.
  63. ^ a b "City Towns (all Towns and Union Councils". City District Government of Karachi. Retrieved 2008-01-07.
  64. ^ Dawn Group of Newspapers. ""Mustafa Kamal announces city reinforcement projects"". Retrieved 2006-10-10.
  65. ^ All Pakistan Ranking Of Districts by Literacy Rates and Illiterates
  66. ^ Ranking of districts by literacy rates and illiterates (By 10+ and 15+ Years Age Groups)
  67. ^ Federal Bureau of Statistics
  68. ^ "Projects". Karachi Port Trust. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
  69. ^ The Economist. ""Where grass is Greener"". Retrieved 2007-08-22.
  70. ^ Business Week, Karachi Livable Cities Guide. Retrieved 2008.
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  72. ^ "shanghai". shanghai. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  73. ^ York-declared-sister-cities.html "Karachi and New York declared sister cities". Pakistan Daily, daily.pk. Retrieved 2008-06-10. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  74. ^ "Karachi News, Pakistan Observer Newspaper online edition". pakobserver.net. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  75. ^ "Many US investors soon to visit Karachi". topix.com. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  76. ^ "Karachi and Chicago to be Sister Cities". jang.com.pk. PakPositive.com. 7 April 2005. Retrieved 3 September 2009.

Further reading

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