Seventy Days in Karachi

Re: # 16
annieqb. P:when I went to Karachi May 1999, a DD had just opened in Defense. The first few days it was by invitation only :-) - & I wasn`t invited... I don`t know if it`s still around..``}

annie,
Thanks for restoring my faith in Karachi. Apparently my invitation got lost in the mail. At least, Karachi is as much a modern city as Lahore. Now only if we had a Hira Mandi. :)

Re: # 15

Measuring a city`s development by doughnuts, coffee and Hira Mandi? You`re either 12 years old, or a wannabe obese American cop.

Don`t touch chaai. It`s a trademark and if that gets replaced by coffee, the moon and the star on our flag would fall apart. If Indians can`t handle that, they can go weep about it to Saurav Ganguly.

Sorry. No offense meant. Pakistan VS India LIVE on TV. Pakistan`s score is 84/4. Fizza`s mood is immersed in anger.

P.S. Karachi has three branches of DD as far as I recollect from the last time I was there. And no, you don`t need an invitation to go there anymore.

Re: # 18

Did I say 84/4? I WISH :/ It`s 64/4!

And I thought.....

Karachi in the evening and at night is much cooler.....Strong breeze .....

and all.....

Dunkin Donut very much exists in Karachi, but since when did American fast food dictate a cities reputation? The reason why Karachi is a city is because its one of the largest cities in Asia; Seoul (10.2 million), Bombay (9.9 million), Jakarta (9.4 million), Karachi (9.3 million).

**rolls her eyes**

peace.

fobby - as someone who`s never been to Karachi, I liked this! more than that, i liked the feeling of nostalgia and loss that ran under it.

But yeah, I think a little editing would have been in order, keeping the audience in mind. Still, hope to read more of you...

Karachi is a great city. My sole reason for thinking that is because that`s where a lot of my family is. Other than that, the extreme heat and humidity present in the summertime really suffocated the experience a bit. Unfortunately, like a mentioned in the article I spent all of my time in Karachi in indulging in restaurants, weddings, and shopping like the world was about to end. The only time when I did go to some place that could be considered a bit more educational was when I went to the Northern Areas. Which are better than any Pakistani city!

Karachi is a city where my great grand father is buried , Karachi to me is not just a city but its my home . Karachi is bleeding today thanks to Feds, Punjab and Co. , Islamists ( specially Jamat-e-Islami ) and yes I have to admit party because of MQM as well . Karachi is a play ground for jamat-e-islami and religious alliance as well whatever they do , they start with Karachi it is also a home of Afghans Refuges whom I somehow started to hate ( yes , I am racist ) . Karachi is a liberal city secular in every respect where Sunis , Shia`s , Islamalis , Parsis , Hindus living togather - Karachi is a shelter for women and lovers who run away from different parts of Pakistan so they could live and vanish from there feudral society. Karachi is a home of middle class unlike feudral class which rules every aspect of society in Urban and Rural of Pakistan.
Gulistan-e-Jauhar : area surrounded by flats and more flats - unplanned mostly where lower middle class families shifted in persuit of a better life .... but ended up losing everything they had before , no water , no telephones no electricity connections and crime and more crime + prostitutions specially by Tajiks and Afghans .
Gulshan-e-Iqbal : area which starts from Hassan Square - divinded into blocks before a peaceful area now : a hell , thanks to road works , water connections , high crime rate - over commercialization and there Jamati Nazim : Mr. Wahab ( remember the case when he Nazim Sahib , raided Nomi ( models ) house ? )
Defence : Used to be a posh area , home of Richies Rich - now a so- called posh area where every plot is up for sale - a place with no water thanks to Water Tankers Mafia and Rangers - Wanabe`s Place--
P.E.C.H.S : information not avalible - but a relatively better area they started something with CPLC Neighbourhood Watch Programme and the areas crime rate has gone down from that point ..
Super Highway and Maymar : Place to Invest - obviously the prices are at all time high one reason is the shifting of Sazi Mandi there and another reason is Maymar Housing ..etc.. like societies mashrooming there - do try Makka Medina Karhai Goosht there..
Nazimabad and N. Nazimabad : all the good people there shifted abroad or lives in Gulshan or Defence now - rest are trying to do what others did -

overall I think the gap between middle class and poor of Karachi is incresing , Immigration is a huge problem specially those Afghan`s should be kicked out !!!

Karachi is a city where my great grand father is buried , Karachi to me is not just a city but its my home . Karachi is bleeding today thanks to Feds, Punjab and Co. , Islamists ( specially Jamat-e-Islami ) and yes I have to admit party because of MQM as well . Karachi is a play ground for jamat-e-islami and religious alliance as well whatever they do , they start with Karachi it is also a home of Afghans Refuges whom I somehow started to hate ( yes , I am racist ) . Karachi is a liberal city secular in every respect where Sunis , Shia`s , Islamalis , Parsis , Hindus living togather - Karachi is a shelter for women and lovers who run away from different parts of Pakistan so they could live and vanish from there feudral society. Karachi is a home of middle class unlike feudral class which rules every aspect of society in Urban and Rural of Pakistan.
Gulistan-e-Jauhar : area surrounded by flats and more flats - unplanned mostly where lower middle class families shifted in persuit of a better life .... but ended up losing everything they had before , no water , no telephones no electricity connections and crime and more crime + prostitutions specially by Tajiks and Afghans .
Gulshan-e-Iqbal : area which starts from Hassan Square - divinded into blocks before a peaceful area now : a hell , thanks to road works , water connections , high crime rate - over commercialization and there Jamati Nazim : Mr. Wahab ( remember the case when he Nazim Sahib , raided Nomi ( models ) house ? )
Defence : Used to be a posh area , home of Richies Rich - now a so- called posh area where every plot is up for sale - a place with no water thanks to Water Tankers Mafia and Rangers - Wanabe`s Place--
P.E.C.H.S : information not avalible - but a relatively better area they started something with CPLC Neighbourhood Watch Programme and the areas crime rate has gone down from that point ..
Super Highway and Maymar : Place to Invest - obviously the prices are at all time high one reason is the shifting of Sazi Mandi there and another reason is Maymar Housing ..etc.. like societies mashrooming there - do try Makka Medina Karhai Goosht there..
Nazimabad and N. Nazimabad : all the good people there shifted abroad or lives in Gulshan or Defence now - rest are trying to do what others did -

overall I think the gap between middle class and poor of Karachi is incresing , Immigration is a huge problem specially those Afghan`s should be kicked out !!!

Karachi is a city where my great grand father is buried , Karachi to me is not just a city but its my home . Karachi is bleeding today thanks to Feds, Punjab and Co. , Islamists ( specially Jamat-e-Islami ) and yes I have to admit party because of MQM as well . Karachi is a play ground for jamat-e-islami and religious alliance as well whatever they do , they start with Karachi it is also a home of Afghans Refuges whom I somehow started to hate ( yes , I am racist ) . Karachi is a liberal city secular in every respect where Sunis , Shia`s , Islamalis , Parsis , Hindus living togather - Karachi is a shelter for women and lovers who run away from different parts of Pakistan so they could live and vanish from there feudral society. Karachi is a home of middle class unlike feudral class which rules every aspect of society in Urban and Rural of Pakistan.
Gulistan-e-Jauhar : area surrounded by flats and more flats - unplanned mostly where lower middle class families shifted in persuit of a better life .... but ended up losing everything they had before , no water , no telephones no electricity connections and crime and more crime + prostitutions specially by Tajiks and Afghans .
Gulshan-e-Iqbal : area which starts from Hassan Square - divinded into blocks before a peaceful area now : a hell , thanks to road works , water connections , high crime rate - over commercialization and there Jamati Nazim : Mr. Wahab ( remember the case when he Nazim Sahib , raided Nomi ( models ) house ? )
Defence : Used to be a posh area , home of Richies Rich - now a so- called posh area where every plot is up for sale - a place with no water thanks to Water Tankers Mafia and Rangers - Wanabe`s Place--
P.E.C.H.S : information not avalible - but a relatively better area they started something with CPLC Neighbourhood Watch Programme and the areas crime rate has gone down from that point ..
Super Highway and Maymar : Place to Invest - obviously the prices are at all time high one reason is the shifting of Sazi Mandi there and another reason is Maymar Housing ..etc.. like societies mashrooming there - do try Makka Medina Karhai Goosht there..
Nazimabad and N. Nazimabad : all the good people there shifted abroad or lives in Gulshan or Defence now - rest are trying to do what others did -

overall I think the gap between middle class and poor of Karachi is incresing , Immigration is a huge problem specially those Afghan`s should be kicked out !!!

labyrinth1 #24, #24, and #24, {``Karachi is a liberal city secular in every respect where Sunis , Shia`s , Islamalis , Parsis , Hindus living togather - Karachi is a shelter for women and lovers who run away from different parts of Pakistan so they could live and vanish from there feudral society. Karachi is a home of middle class unlike feudal class which rules every aspect of society in Urban and Rural of Pakistan.``}

You have put it so clearly and emphatically three times in a row. Indeed, Karachi is a breath of fresh air as compared to the tradition-bound, bias-ridden, and archaic areas to the north. It used to be even better. Unfortunately, every type of filth infesting Pakistan has to use Karachi as a laboratory as a proving ground for its nefarious ways. I agree with you. Of all the filth religious extremism, from the Sunni right-wing Wahabbi elements is the most insidious.

catfischeblues #21, {``Dunkin Donut very much exists in Karachi, but since when did American fast food dictate a cities reputation? ``}

Your confident statement attesting to existing of Dunkin Donut in Karachi is a reassuring testament to the virility of Karachi. I didn`t invent the modernity standard of using American fast food outlets as a measurement of a city`s reputation. Apparently, our well-heeled, modernist, and ``quick to please the Indian visitor`` hosts have made it a point to highlight Lahore`s Dunkin Donut as a showcase. I am so relieved that Karachi is keeping pace. Can we at least turn Gulistan-e-Jauhar into a Hira Mandi? :)

Fizza #18, {``Measuring a city`s development by doughnuts, coffee and Hira Mandi? You`re either 12 years old, or a wannabe obese American cop.
.
.
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P.S. Karachi has three branches of DD as far as I recollect from the last time I was there. And no, you don`t need an invitation to go there anymore.

Fizza,
Don`t get so angry over India beating Pakistan in ODIs. Cricket has a way of evening out in the end. The defeat of Pakistan by India in ODI 1 at Cochin was decisive, humiliating, and convincing. I paid for this game and was so ashamed that I couldn`t even demand a refund for leaving after Shahid Afridi made his desperate out. I thnk India was dismayed at not having bowled the 50 overs - they were enjoying prolonging the humiliation, but a merciful God came to the rescue and brought down the curtain.

Thank you for confirming that Karach has not one, but at least three Dunking Donuts. Eat your heart out Lahoris, you will always remain far behind Karachi, the once proud capital of Pakistan and the hub of its economic and intelligent life. Having lost all my invitations in Pakistan`s efficient postal system, I am glad that DDs don`t require invitations anymore.

AmFOD,
Having written the article somewhat after the Lahore Travelogue by Mr. Vohra, I suggest that you should have put Karachi on the world map by mentioning several paragraphs about the flourishing Dunkin Donuts. Is anyone of these DDs visible on the Shahrahe Faisal (old Drigh Road) as one approaches the city from the Airport?

Sameena...i have to disagree with you..the refreshing sea breeze in the evening is a trade mark for karachi. How hot it would be in day time...karachi always cool downs in night.

lines are not very fluid..but keep writing

Re: # 25

Keeping Shahid Afridi and Rahul Dravid aside - what is with you and Dunkin Donuts?! :P

Re: # 27 {``Keeping Shahid Afridi and Rahul Dravid aside - what is with you and Dunkin Donuts?!``}

Fizzza,
Obviously you have not been enjoying the Pakistan Travelogue by our own Stuka (Parag Vohra). Manto took Stuka to Dunking Donuts - that great landmark of which elite, modern, prgressive, and well-healed Lahoris are so proud that it is the first site that a visiting Indian sees. This experience leaves the Indian tourist in a sufficiently-awed and rather condescending position right from the start.

``No relatives, to try and persuade me to think or act in a certain way.``
Now that just ruined a perfectly pleasant piece. You girls have repeated yourselves into cliched oblivion - the so called strong paki girl railing against oppressive relatives because she has a mind of her own and will use it, dammit! Enough with your whiny articles!

{``sure I took five showers a day ``}

Are you bragging or just sharing a personal problem with all of us?