A demographic overview of Karachi, and study of urbanization trends in Pakistan. The urban population in Pakistan has increased from 4,015,000 (14.2 per cent of the total) in 1941 to 42,458,000 (32.5 per cent of total) in 1998. The 1998 figures have been challenged since only those settlements have been considered as urban which have urban local government structures. Population density as a whole has also increased from 42.5 people per km2 in 1951 to 164 in 1998.

1947 – 1958: Pakistan tried to model itself on the post-World War II social welfare state. However, due to inappropriate political and administrative institutions, absence of civil society organizations, finances and a deeply entrenched feudal system, the state was notable to deliver. The demand-supply gap in housing, health, education and employment continued to increase as a result.

1988 – onwards: Since the early nineties, ethnic politics and the MQM-establishment-conflict has dominated politics in Karachi leading to targeted killings, strikes, street violence and police excesses. As a result, industry shifted to other parts of Pakistan and unemployment in Karachi increased. During this period globalization and structural adjustment had a negative impact on Karachi’s job market and resulted in recession and inflation. Since no new housing schemes or development projects on a large enough scale have been initiated, homelessness has increased and so has the expansion of katchi abatis and the densification of inner city slums.