PAKISTAN: THE EVOLUTION OF KARACHI
Introduction
The Evolution of Karachi, Pakistan’s largest and most economically vital city, has undergone extraordinary transformation over the centuries. From a humble fishing settlement to a megacity of over 20 million people, its story reflects the interplay of history, politics, economics, and urban planning. Arif Hasan’s document presents a layered understanding of Karachi’s development through historical, social, and infrastructural lenses.
Early Beginnings and Historical Significance
Karachi’s roots trace back to ancient times, known under various names like Kharachi and Kolachi. It started as a fishing village located around the area of modern-day Manora. The local population sustained themselves via fishing and trade along the coast. During the 18th century, Talpur rulers constructed the Karachi Fort to protect it from raids, marking a shift toward a more structured settlement.
The British took over Karachi in 1839, recognizing its strategic port location. This event significantly altered the city’s trajectory. The British developed the harbor, built rail links, and turned Karachi into a central military and commercial outpost. This period laid the foundation for evolution of Karachi into a modern urban center.
Colonial Infrastructure and Planning
Under British rule, Karachi saw systematic planning for the first time. Railways, roads, and municipal institutions were developed. In 1846, the Karachi Municipal Committee was established, and by the late 19th century, it became a hub for cotton, wheat, and other exports.
Karachi was viewed as a model colonial city with wide streets, well-planned markets, and civic institutions. The port city attracted a diverse population including Parsis, Hindus, Muslims, and Jews, creating a multicultural urban fabric. British investments were geared toward transforming Karachi into a premier colonial port—an ambition realized by the early 20th century.
Post-Partition Explosion and Demographic Shifts
The most dramatic history of evolution of Karachi came after 1947. With Pakistan’s independence and the creation of a new Muslim homeland, Karachi was chosen as the country’s first capital. Almost overnight, the city’s population swelled due to the influx of Muslim refugees from India—known as Muhajirs—who replaced the Hindu residents who migrated to India.
From a population of about 450,000 in 1947, Karachi jumped to nearly 1 million in just a few years. This migration created severe housing shortages, infrastructural stress, and administrative challenges. Informal settlements (later termed katchi abadis) began sprouting across the city. These areas lacked access to water, electricity, and sanitation but became permanent homes for working-class residents.
Karachi’s Informal Sector and Economic Backbone
Today, more than 60% of Karachi’s population resides in informal settlements. This is not merely a housing crisis—it reflects deep-rooted issues of urban inequality. Despite this, Karachi remains Pakistan’s economic engine, contributing over 20% of the national GDP and handling 95% of Pakistan’s international trade.
The city’s informal economy includes home-based industries, roadside vendors, small manufacturing units, and transport services. Karachi’s resilience owes much to this shadow economy, which supports millions of residents even as formal institutions struggle to keep pace.
Urban Planning Failures and Institutional Decline
Despite several master plans developed since the 1950s, Karachi’s planning has largely failed due to institutional fragmentation, political interference, and corruption. The Karachi Master Plan of 1975–85 was never fully implemented. Authorities could not anticipate the speed of urban sprawl, especially due to unauthorized land occupations and poorly regulated real estate markets.
The lack of integrated planning led to serious problems in housing, transport, waste management, and water supply. Each utility service came under a different agency or department, making coordination difficult. In recent decades, this disjointed governance has resulted in massive urban stress.
Resettlement and Infrastructure Projects
Karachi has witnessed major infrastructure initiatives like the Lyari Expressway, Northern Bypass, and the Circular Railway revival attempts. However, many of these projects came at the cost of displacement. For instance, the Lyari Expressway Project displaced over 24,000 families. While a resettlement program was launched, many affected households struggled with access to education, transport, and employment in their new locations.
Additionally, while infrastructure has improved marginally, the impact on low-income populations remains disproportionate. The inability to balance development with equity continues to haunt Karachi’s planning framework.
Ethnic Conflict and Political Fragmentation
The demographic changes post-1947 also laid the groundwork for ethnic tensions. In the 1980s and 1990s, Karachi became a battleground for violent conflict between different ethnic and political groups, including Sindhis, Muhajirs, Punjabis, and Pashtuns. The emergence of ethnically aligned political parties further polarized governance.
This fragmentation affected urban services, as competing political interests took control of different parts of the city. Law enforcement became politicized, and essential service delivery suffered. In many neighborhoods, local mafias began to control access to utilities like water, electricity, and even land.
Loss of Cultural Institutions and Public Spaces
Karachi once boasted rich cultural and intellectual life. Cinemas, libraries, and art centers were integral to the urban experience. However, due to rising insecurity and the commercialization of public spaces, many of these institutions disappeared or fell into disuse.
Encroachments, privatization, and lack of public interest have contributed to the decline of parks, heritage buildings, and waterfront areas. Efforts to reclaim public spaces have occasionally been made, but sustained urban renewal remains elusive.
Environmental and Sustainability Challenges
Environmental degradation is another serious concern. Karachi’s coastal ecosystem has been damaged by unchecked industrial waste and illegal land reclamation. The city’s green cover has diminished rapidly, replaced by concrete structures. Flooding is now a seasonal threat, made worse by blocked drains and unplanned settlements.
The city’s water supply, largely dependent on the Indus River, remains inadequate for its population. The tanker mafia exploits this scarcity, selling water at high prices to low-income communities. Climate change, rising sea levels, and heatwaves are expected to worsen these vulnerabilities in the coming years.
Karachi’s Future and the Way Forward
Despite its challenges, Karachi remains a city of possibility. Its youthful population, entrepreneurial spirit, and strategic location provide a solid foundation for future growth. However, sustainable development requires deep institutional reforms, inclusive governance, and the revival of effective urban planning.
Improved inter-agency coordination, public transport development, affordable housing programs, and environmental sustainability should be prioritized. Empowering local governments, depoliticizing law enforcement, and protecting cultural heritage can help restore Karachi’s lost glory.
Conclusion
The evolution of Karachi is a story of resilience, ambition, and conflict. It represents the aspirations and contradictions of modern Pakistan. While poor governance and planning failures have compromised its potential, the city continues to thrive against the odds. To ensure a sustainable future, Karachi must embrace inclusive urban reform, protect its diverse heritage, and rebuild civic trust.
Also Read: A Development Plan for Karachi 2047