A decision was taken by provincial president of AWAMI NATIONAL PARTY (SINDH).That on 12th may 2009 a strike will be held ,because 2 years ago on same date pukhtoons was killed during the riots.
On 12 may 2007 the workers of Muttehida Qaumi Movement , pakistan peoples party were also killed but these two parties did not gave the call of strike.
MQM ,PPP and ANP all these three parties are the colation partners of the sindh government.provincial Chief minsiter Mr.Qaim Ali Shah and Home Minsiter sindh Mr.Zulfiqar Mirza and many minsters of the sindh government were oppose the call of strike openly and they also try to clearfy them that a party which is in government is not deserve to call the strike and becaouse of this solid point Mr.shahi syed President of ANP Sindh give his point that if Government will anounce 12 may public holiday the we will take our call back.
Usually there is an opinion that hoildays is always anounce on the happy occassion and strike is for the expression of anger.
When Public holiday is announced them there is a loss on all kind of bussiness for a single day and when strike is call so there is also a single day loss of bussinessmens shopkeepers and the loss of students and loss on industries for a single day and governemt also loss the tax of the day.
So the persons who are insisting for the strike or public holidays please just tell why they are harming government and peoples and what they will be get from it?
In N.W.F.P during the 24 hours 143 peoples killed in operation and there is also an infromation that in MALA KUND and Tribal areas approx 10 lac peoples migrate due to the talibans these all peoples are also pukhtoons but ANP didnt express their anger or sadness on that issue.
There is a islamic way to celebrate the memories for the peoples who were killed on 12th may 2007 that pray for them that god bless them recite quran pak supply food to the poor peoples.
Strike or holidays are the secondary and cheap decision and thats goals are not also not achieved which are achieved but these islamic ways.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
The Karachi question: Ethnicity or extremism?
Once again, Karachi is burning, and everyone has a theory. On April 29, at least 34 people were killed in an escalating wave of violence across the port city. Most of the dead were Pathan, though the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) also claimed losses. Even before funeral processions were organised and the last fires were doused, politicians began finger pointing.
Speaking from London, MQM chief Altaf Hussain appealed for peace, indirectly blaming the Taliban for the recent urban violence. He claimed that criminal elements belonging to the land and drug mafia were stirring trouble with the support – in the form of arms and money – of the Taliban. Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League chief Nawaz Sharif hinted at the ethnic dimensions of the clashes, pointing out that Karachi’s residents were being pitted against each other as part of a larger plot. For his part, Minister of State for Ports and Shipping, Nabeel Gabol, claimed that the fighting had been instigated by a ‘foreign agency’ that is working in collaboration with a religious party.
Outside political circles, there is an assumption that this week’s killings are the result of a long-standing ethnic rivalry between Karachi’s Urdu-speaking and Pashto-speaking communities. Newspaper reports, for example, have described the clashes as ‘ethnic violence’ and city police chief Wasim Ahmed even split up Wednesday’s death toll as ‘16 Pathans and three Urdu-speaking people.’
What explains the resurgence in Karachi violence? Is it an attempt by the city’s ethnic stakeholders to drawn new battle lines? Or are the recent clashes somehow connected to the broader militant threat that Pakistan is currently wrestling?
The politics of militancy
For almost a year, the MQM has been warning against the Talibanisation of Karachi. The party’s cautionary rhetoric gained resonance when the MQM became the only political force to resist the passage of the Nizam-i-Adl Regulation, which has established qazi courts in NWFP’s Malakand division. In all their anti-Taliban speechifying, MQM leaders are careful to point out that they are not targeting an ethnic group. As Naib Nazim Nasrin Jalil puts it, ‘Pashtuns are not all Taliban, but some of them are harboring the Taliban. It’s impossible to identify militants from others.’
But members of Karachi’s Pashto-speaking community argue that the MQM is making no effort to distinguish between honest workers and militants. ‘The MQM is playing up the issue of Talibanisation for political gain,’ says Ameen Khattak, the secretary general of the Awami National Party (ANP) in Sindh. They’re trying to attract the attention of the international community while pursuing their hidden agenda.’
In fact, ANP officials claim that the threat of Talibanisation in Karachi is being over-stated by the MQM. They point out that the Pashto-speaking community, which has been targeted by Taliban militants in Pakistan’s tribal and northern areas, is most at risk. ‘Who will they kill first?’ asks Khattak. ‘They’ve killed 150 ANP workers in Swat and will do the same in Karachi.’ He adds that the ANP is determined to stave off the extremist threat: ‘We have assured the MQM that if they provide specifics of Taliban influence in the city, we’ll work together to combat the Taliban.’
The Taliban factor
While they disagree about the extent to which Karachi has been Talibanised, MQM and ANP leadership do agree that militancy is on the rise in Pakistan’s commercial hub. Party leaders on both sides admit that fund-raising for militant activities is rampant. MQM chief Hussain’s comments that the Taliban is now enmeshed with the local land and drug mafia point to the well documented fact that militants and criminals have joined hands to carry out robberies and kidnappings, the gains of which are used to finance terrorism in the northern areas and Federally Adminstered Tribal Areas (Fata).
Indeed, officials of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have stated that over one billion rupees have been raised by criminals in Karachi over the past two years to finance jihad. The Citizens-Police Liaison Committee has also confirmed that ransom money in many high-profile kidnappings is being collected in Fata. Faisal Sabzwari, an MQM leader and the Sindh minister for youth affairs, adds that ‘land grabbing in the name of religion’ is also on the rise.
In this context, ANP’s Khattak admits that some members of the Pashto-speaking community are connected with the Taliban through ‘chanda’ (alms). ‘People based in Karachi may be paying off the Taliban to keep their families in the northern areas safe,’ he explains.
Beyond criminal activities, both MQM and ANP leaders point to the resurgence of banned sectarian outfits such as Jaish-e-Mohammad, Laskar-e-Taiba and Lashakar-e-Jhangvi as the biggest threat facing Karachi (particularly in the wake of last November’s Mumbai attacks). As a police officer stationed in Karachi’s Sohrab Goth puts it: ‘The Taliban are only in Karachi to the extent that they’re reaching out to militants who have been based here for decades.’ According to the CID, there are over 5,000 trained militants with ties to banned militant groups currently stationed in the city.
Since the leadership of these militant groups trace their origins to the Punjab and Siraiki belt, how has an ethnic clash between mohajirs and Pathans hijacked the conversation about urban Talibanisation?
Drawing battle lines
In recent months, MQM party workers have been mobilizing, by their account, to ward off the Taliban threat. Hussain has called for Karachiites to arm themselves and take up martial arts training. Naib nazim Jalil adds that MQM has reinstated a ‘chowkidari’ (neighbourhood watch) system in mohajir localities. ‘Our activists are physically protecting their areas,’ she says. Moreover, the City District Government Karachi has requested that Rangers and paramilitary personnel be deployed in sensitive spots across the city.
On another level, MQM has increased vigilance across the city. ‘No other party can boast the grassroots level set-up that the MQM has,’ says Sabzwari. ‘We have been involved in ground-level information collection for some time now. Our people let us know what’s happening in their areas.’ He explains that MQM activists monitor unusual activities at mosques and note the presence of foreigners or strangers in different neighbourhoods. Noteworthy information is then passed on to the Sindh and federal governments.
Karachi’s Pashto-speaking community views this mobilization as an attempt to consolidate MQM’s stranglehold over the city and target the Pathan population. ‘There are between three and four million peace-loving Pathans in Karachi,’ says Khattak. ‘But the MQM is watching them all as if they are criminals, pretending to be on the look out for the Taliban.’ He points to several areas where MQM activists or security personnel have in effect cordoned off Pathan areas from the rest of the city. ‘If things go on like this, Karachi will be the next Beirut. The city has already been carved up and the battle lines are being drawn.’
MQM’s leadership rejects Khattak’s analysis of the situation. ‘It’s not an ethnic issue,’ insists Sabzwari. ‘It’s a criminal issue. It’s an issue of law and order. What can we do if the criminals happen to come from Pashto-speaking localities? Is it my fault if Baitullah Mehsud’s right-hand man was caught in Karachi?’ [Badshah Deen was arrested in Karachi’s Sachal area on April 13.] He adds that ANP is giving a simple law and order situation an ‘ethnic run’ so as to consolidate its vote bank.
Caught in the crossfire
Either way, it is Karachiites who end up dead. Anayat Khan, a fruit seller at Bacha Khan chowk in Karachi’s Benaras area, says a ‘political game’ is under way. ‘There are no Taliban here,’ he says. ‘We listen to music, we have functions, our women go shopping. The only people we have to fear are the workers of a certain political party.’
Meanwhile, across town, Naeem Hussain, a resident of Azizabad, shakes his head. ‘The city is completely shut down, even though the end of the month is so important for business. We’re just trying to live our lives … I don’t know who to believe anymore.’
Speaking from London, MQM chief Altaf Hussain appealed for peace, indirectly blaming the Taliban for the recent urban violence. He claimed that criminal elements belonging to the land and drug mafia were stirring trouble with the support – in the form of arms and money – of the Taliban. Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League chief Nawaz Sharif hinted at the ethnic dimensions of the clashes, pointing out that Karachi’s residents were being pitted against each other as part of a larger plot. For his part, Minister of State for Ports and Shipping, Nabeel Gabol, claimed that the fighting had been instigated by a ‘foreign agency’ that is working in collaboration with a religious party.
Outside political circles, there is an assumption that this week’s killings are the result of a long-standing ethnic rivalry between Karachi’s Urdu-speaking and Pashto-speaking communities. Newspaper reports, for example, have described the clashes as ‘ethnic violence’ and city police chief Wasim Ahmed even split up Wednesday’s death toll as ‘16 Pathans and three Urdu-speaking people.’
What explains the resurgence in Karachi violence? Is it an attempt by the city’s ethnic stakeholders to drawn new battle lines? Or are the recent clashes somehow connected to the broader militant threat that Pakistan is currently wrestling?
The politics of militancy
For almost a year, the MQM has been warning against the Talibanisation of Karachi. The party’s cautionary rhetoric gained resonance when the MQM became the only political force to resist the passage of the Nizam-i-Adl Regulation, which has established qazi courts in NWFP’s Malakand division. In all their anti-Taliban speechifying, MQM leaders are careful to point out that they are not targeting an ethnic group. As Naib Nazim Nasrin Jalil puts it, ‘Pashtuns are not all Taliban, but some of them are harboring the Taliban. It’s impossible to identify militants from others.’
But members of Karachi’s Pashto-speaking community argue that the MQM is making no effort to distinguish between honest workers and militants. ‘The MQM is playing up the issue of Talibanisation for political gain,’ says Ameen Khattak, the secretary general of the Awami National Party (ANP) in Sindh. They’re trying to attract the attention of the international community while pursuing their hidden agenda.’
In fact, ANP officials claim that the threat of Talibanisation in Karachi is being over-stated by the MQM. They point out that the Pashto-speaking community, which has been targeted by Taliban militants in Pakistan’s tribal and northern areas, is most at risk. ‘Who will they kill first?’ asks Khattak. ‘They’ve killed 150 ANP workers in Swat and will do the same in Karachi.’ He adds that the ANP is determined to stave off the extremist threat: ‘We have assured the MQM that if they provide specifics of Taliban influence in the city, we’ll work together to combat the Taliban.’
The Taliban factor
While they disagree about the extent to which Karachi has been Talibanised, MQM and ANP leadership do agree that militancy is on the rise in Pakistan’s commercial hub. Party leaders on both sides admit that fund-raising for militant activities is rampant. MQM chief Hussain’s comments that the Taliban is now enmeshed with the local land and drug mafia point to the well documented fact that militants and criminals have joined hands to carry out robberies and kidnappings, the gains of which are used to finance terrorism in the northern areas and Federally Adminstered Tribal Areas (Fata).
Indeed, officials of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have stated that over one billion rupees have been raised by criminals in Karachi over the past two years to finance jihad. The Citizens-Police Liaison Committee has also confirmed that ransom money in many high-profile kidnappings is being collected in Fata. Faisal Sabzwari, an MQM leader and the Sindh minister for youth affairs, adds that ‘land grabbing in the name of religion’ is also on the rise.
In this context, ANP’s Khattak admits that some members of the Pashto-speaking community are connected with the Taliban through ‘chanda’ (alms). ‘People based in Karachi may be paying off the Taliban to keep their families in the northern areas safe,’ he explains.
Beyond criminal activities, both MQM and ANP leaders point to the resurgence of banned sectarian outfits such as Jaish-e-Mohammad, Laskar-e-Taiba and Lashakar-e-Jhangvi as the biggest threat facing Karachi (particularly in the wake of last November’s Mumbai attacks). As a police officer stationed in Karachi’s Sohrab Goth puts it: ‘The Taliban are only in Karachi to the extent that they’re reaching out to militants who have been based here for decades.’ According to the CID, there are over 5,000 trained militants with ties to banned militant groups currently stationed in the city.
Since the leadership of these militant groups trace their origins to the Punjab and Siraiki belt, how has an ethnic clash between mohajirs and Pathans hijacked the conversation about urban Talibanisation?
Drawing battle lines
In recent months, MQM party workers have been mobilizing, by their account, to ward off the Taliban threat. Hussain has called for Karachiites to arm themselves and take up martial arts training. Naib nazim Jalil adds that MQM has reinstated a ‘chowkidari’ (neighbourhood watch) system in mohajir localities. ‘Our activists are physically protecting their areas,’ she says. Moreover, the City District Government Karachi has requested that Rangers and paramilitary personnel be deployed in sensitive spots across the city.
On another level, MQM has increased vigilance across the city. ‘No other party can boast the grassroots level set-up that the MQM has,’ says Sabzwari. ‘We have been involved in ground-level information collection for some time now. Our people let us know what’s happening in their areas.’ He explains that MQM activists monitor unusual activities at mosques and note the presence of foreigners or strangers in different neighbourhoods. Noteworthy information is then passed on to the Sindh and federal governments.
Karachi’s Pashto-speaking community views this mobilization as an attempt to consolidate MQM’s stranglehold over the city and target the Pathan population. ‘There are between three and four million peace-loving Pathans in Karachi,’ says Khattak. ‘But the MQM is watching them all as if they are criminals, pretending to be on the look out for the Taliban.’ He points to several areas where MQM activists or security personnel have in effect cordoned off Pathan areas from the rest of the city. ‘If things go on like this, Karachi will be the next Beirut. The city has already been carved up and the battle lines are being drawn.’
MQM’s leadership rejects Khattak’s analysis of the situation. ‘It’s not an ethnic issue,’ insists Sabzwari. ‘It’s a criminal issue. It’s an issue of law and order. What can we do if the criminals happen to come from Pashto-speaking localities? Is it my fault if Baitullah Mehsud’s right-hand man was caught in Karachi?’ [Badshah Deen was arrested in Karachi’s Sachal area on April 13.] He adds that ANP is giving a simple law and order situation an ‘ethnic run’ so as to consolidate its vote bank.
Caught in the crossfire
Either way, it is Karachiites who end up dead. Anayat Khan, a fruit seller at Bacha Khan chowk in Karachi’s Benaras area, says a ‘political game’ is under way. ‘There are no Taliban here,’ he says. ‘We listen to music, we have functions, our women go shopping. The only people we have to fear are the workers of a certain political party.’
Meanwhile, across town, Naeem Hussain, a resident of Azizabad, shakes his head. ‘The city is completely shut down, even though the end of the month is so important for business. We’re just trying to live our lives … I don’t know who to believe anymore.’
Friday, May 1, 2009
ANP misusing the Mandate
ANP (Awami National Party) came up as a main stake holder for NNWFP in 2008 elections,
While announcing their manifesto, Asfandyar Wali said that Awami National Party would make efforts for the establishment of a peaceful, liberal, progressive and moderate society in the country.
Now in NWFP they have accepted the sharia of religious extremism, and hence they are betraying the people of NWFP who gave them vote for a peacefull and liberal enviroment in the province. On the other hand ANP is continousily backing and providing a safe entrance to Talibans inside Karachi, and we have seen the result when an action was about to taken against them, they created a mess in the city and gave all the scenario and ethnic look.
ANP cheif in KArachi, Shahi Syed creating cast diffrence in Karachi and gaining his political interest. One should think that if ANP believe in the prosperity and progress of pushtoon then why did they shake hands with talibans and destroying all the hopes of innocent citizens of SWAT and other tribal Areas.
The truth is, that ANP has got the support of Anti ISlam and ANti Pakistan forces and with their support they got a mandate and now they are abiding the promises which they maked with Extrmists but not the innocent people of NWFP.
Today In parliament no one is opposing the demand of Pakhtoons for giving NWFP a new name, but still ANP not look serious for its own province, that shows that ANP is not for the prosperity of Pushtoon but the prosperity of Religious Extremists.
Pakhtoons of Pakistan will have to realize that ANP is using their name to gain their political interests and ANP was never serious for the peaceful, liberal, progressive and moderate society in the country.
While announcing their manifesto, Asfandyar Wali said that Awami National Party would make efforts for the establishment of a peaceful, liberal, progressive and moderate society in the country.
Now in NWFP they have accepted the sharia of religious extremism, and hence they are betraying the people of NWFP who gave them vote for a peacefull and liberal enviroment in the province. On the other hand ANP is continousily backing and providing a safe entrance to Talibans inside Karachi, and we have seen the result when an action was about to taken against them, they created a mess in the city and gave all the scenario and ethnic look.
ANP cheif in KArachi, Shahi Syed creating cast diffrence in Karachi and gaining his political interest. One should think that if ANP believe in the prosperity and progress of pushtoon then why did they shake hands with talibans and destroying all the hopes of innocent citizens of SWAT and other tribal Areas.
The truth is, that ANP has got the support of Anti ISlam and ANti Pakistan forces and with their support they got a mandate and now they are abiding the promises which they maked with Extrmists but not the innocent people of NWFP.
Today In parliament no one is opposing the demand of Pakhtoons for giving NWFP a new name, but still ANP not look serious for its own province, that shows that ANP is not for the prosperity of Pushtoon but the prosperity of Religious Extremists.
Pakhtoons of Pakistan will have to realize that ANP is using their name to gain their political interests and ANP was never serious for the peaceful, liberal, progressive and moderate society in the country.
Hats off to MQM's Courage
MQM shows no fear and is now a days openly drawing attention of the people of Pakistan, media and other political allies on creeping talibanisation . MQM the only political party criticized and walked out of the parliament in protest. They said they aren’t against Islam as they are Muslims as well. But according to constitution of Pakistan there cant be 2 judicial law in Pakistan. And the current constitution isn’t against Islam. Their recent press conference on Nizam-e-adl is not shocking to the liberal forces of Pakistan including the human rights, civil society and other political parties representative. Other political parties are restricted to show their concerns but we have heard many individual voices throughout the whole Pakistan people are not in favor of this Nizam-e-adl.
People are a bit scared of talibans as TTP Spokesman Haji Muslim khan has threatened parliamentarians indirectly. But MQM stands firm on their rules and regulations. No fear to religious extremism and no shariya, which belongs to only Hanifi laws of islam. As there are many other sects, which have their own beliefs and practices.
The parliament has accepted TTP demand by allowing Nizam-e-adl . Militants who has killed policemen in Lahore and which are involved in suicide bombing mosques and killing torturing people who are muslims as well and several other cases. It was declared nizam-e-adl won’t be imposed till true peace comes in swat and till talibans wont give up weapons.
Despite of the Manawa attacks and several suicide attacks on Mosques, gatherings and Armed forces of Pakistan the so called liberal political parties like PPP, ANP, PML-N and PML-Q has given support to this nizam-e-adl in Malakand division, swat and its nearby region. And has lost support of the liberal voters of nation. ANP has revoked its manifesto and went against the teachings of Ba’cha khan of never surrender in front of ill and bad. So is for the PPP their leader Mohtarma baynazeer Bhutto said there are people in Tribal areas that are responsible for insurgency in Pakistan and she said she wouldn’t tolerate these militants creating insurgency in Pakistan. Nawaz Shareef connections with Al-Qaida and taliban is not hidden with anyone is still continue with Zia’s strategy of making Afghanistan 5th province and has support to these militants and talibans.
Yesterday attack on charsaddah after nizam-e-adl in swat is a question itself. Agencies recovered body and the person got arrested is from swat. Yesterday Soofi mohammed spokesman said taliban has given up arms. But the TTP spokesman denied to give up arms and declared that they would prolong this movement to other parts of Pakistan and arms is prestige of Muslims.
MQM’s growing support in Pakistan against Talibanization is increasing day by day. Their liberal politics for the people of Pakistan suits to the environment of prosperity and development. They have pointed out very important points of the future of Pakistan if we will allow these militants taking over our areas in the name of islam. There are various examples in islam that Our prophet peace be upon him and his campaignions never imposed islam and shariya by force. A common moderate muslim wont accept talibans forced islam . Islam is what Mohammed peace be upon has preached. Not what soofi mohammed and baitullah mehsud has imposed by guns and shells.
Land Mafia active in Karachi
Its a well known fact, that Karachi contains a large number of Land Mafias. The land Mafia has its influence on multiple areas inside the city as well as the exit areas of Karachi.
Land mafia is involved in drugs, illegal weapons, kidnaping for ransom, bank roberies and many other crimes. This land mafia group has maked the city a living hell for common citizen.
Today when i was near gulshan chowrangi, i came to know that rangers have started an operation against these drug dealers and land mafia situated at Al-Asif and Ajmer nagri, a thought came to my mind that its not for the first time, and last time when it happened, we witnessed a blood shed in Karachi and now the same situation. Last time my bike was burnt, and i simply can't afford it once again, so i tried my best to reach home safely. I faced many problems and saw many people who look like afghanis, they all were heavily armed and were ready to destroy anything which comes to their way. My 3 colleagues have lost their bikes today, The Gangs and Mafia burnt their bikes in front of their eyes. The same pain and hatred i m feeling today what i felt on december 2008.
What happened today, was it for the interest of the people of Karachi, or was it a pre-planned setup to allow these Land mafia gangs to once again show their power, i have no doubts that they have the support of ANP (a hypocrite), JI (an Extrmisits) and Imran Khan (Anti Karachi).
These all are the real culprits behind these bloodsheds, they have their stake in all this scenario, and they are the one who gain their political advantages by creating such situations in this economic hub of Pakistan.
I, as a common citizen, knows that these terrorists have a very strong network in Karachi, and if one group is effected, the other comes into the action, but our govt. does'nt know such things, they just started the operation against them in 2 areas, without keeping any security arrangements in other sensitive areas of the City, and the time when the operation started, all the gangs of land mafia came on to the streets and started their activities, they burnt many cars, shooted many citizens, attacked homes, mis behaved Ladies and looted houses and shops.
Once again the people of Karachi are victimized by these elements and there is no one to stop or counter them.
May Allah save this City, AMEEN
Land mafia is involved in drugs, illegal weapons, kidnaping for ransom, bank roberies and many other crimes. This land mafia group has maked the city a living hell for common citizen.
Today when i was near gulshan chowrangi, i came to know that rangers have started an operation against these drug dealers and land mafia situated at Al-Asif and Ajmer nagri, a thought came to my mind that its not for the first time, and last time when it happened, we witnessed a blood shed in Karachi and now the same situation. Last time my bike was burnt, and i simply can't afford it once again, so i tried my best to reach home safely. I faced many problems and saw many people who look like afghanis, they all were heavily armed and were ready to destroy anything which comes to their way. My 3 colleagues have lost their bikes today, The Gangs and Mafia burnt their bikes in front of their eyes. The same pain and hatred i m feeling today what i felt on december 2008.
What happened today, was it for the interest of the people of Karachi, or was it a pre-planned setup to allow these Land mafia gangs to once again show their power, i have no doubts that they have the support of ANP (a hypocrite), JI (an Extrmisits) and Imran Khan (Anti Karachi).
These all are the real culprits behind these bloodsheds, they have their stake in all this scenario, and they are the one who gain their political advantages by creating such situations in this economic hub of Pakistan.
I, as a common citizen, knows that these terrorists have a very strong network in Karachi, and if one group is effected, the other comes into the action, but our govt. does'nt know such things, they just started the operation against them in 2 areas, without keeping any security arrangements in other sensitive areas of the City, and the time when the operation started, all the gangs of land mafia came on to the streets and started their activities, they burnt many cars, shooted many citizens, attacked homes, mis behaved Ladies and looted houses and shops.
Once again the people of Karachi are victimized by these elements and there is no one to stop or counter them.
May Allah save this City, AMEEN
Life In karachi
ABOUT KARACHI:
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the financial capital of Pakistan and the capital of the province of Sindh. It is the twentieth largest city of the world in terms of metropolitan population,[4] and is Pakistan's premier centre of banking, industry, and trade. Karachi is also the home of Pakistan's largest corporations that are involved in textiles, shipping, automotive industry, entertainment, arts, fashion, advertising, publishing, software development and medical research. It also serves as a major hub of higher education in South Asia, and the wider Islamic World [5].
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, Port Bin Qasim, one of the region's largest and busiest ports. The city's population has increased dramatically at the time of Pakistan's independance after hundreds of thousands of Muslim refugees fleeing violence from India came to settle in the city. Since independence from Britain in 1947, the city's vibrant economy has attracted migrants from all over Pakistan, surrounding countries such as Iran, Tajikistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and further beyond. Despite a history of political turmoil, the city continues to attract those seeking prosperity and has shown consistent growth [6].
Karachi city is spread over 3,530 km² (2,193 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.
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