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With the crime that the city gives birth to each day, citizens of the city hesitate to leave the comforts of their abodes unless absolutely necessary, dreading the unpredictability and uncertainty of their beloved Karachi.
A boisterous and unapologetic city mimicking blaring alarms and flashing lights, somewhat like the ambulances on the roads the people have just recently started to give way to. The famed beaches have shores riddled with remnants of momentary indulgences such as slanty wrappers, a national favorite, and both, adults and youngsters volunteering with various organizations for clean-up drives.
Delve deeper into the heart of the city and you’ll come across spices that make you sneeze and vibrant vegetables stacked neatly, variations of homemade vinegar and heaps of overpriced dry fruits, all within the same vicinity, the renowned Empress Market. You may not be too fond of the smell of freshly butchered meat, hen faeces, and not-fried-yet fish and prawns but it attracts all the cats nearby, giving you something to distract yourself with while your ammi argues with the vendor to give her products worth 2000 in 200 because that’s what it cost some decades back.
Boat Basin is a prime example of reclaimed land turned into something better than just a beach. Now decorated with franchises such as TGIF and Nando’s, the years-old businesses such as Flamingo and the limca stalls take the top spots in the hall of fame. Dosas, chats, bun kababs, and idli sambhar – served only on Sundas, are snacks that majority of the people go for, followed by paan, a delicacy still favored by many.
As uneven and riddled with holes the roads of Saddar may be, they’ll still lead you to one of the city’s most frequented cinemas, Atrium, located opposite Zainab Market, one of the first “malls” of the city. While we’re talking about firsts, let’s not forget about the popular Burns Road, probably the first eminent food street of the city, or Shaukat Khanum Cancer Memorial Hospital, the only establishment dedicated to cancer research and treatment that provides financial aid to patients who cannot afford to bear the costs of the treatment, or Edhi Foundation, the first non-profit, NGO to give the city its first air ambulance.
Karachi, a city often portrayed as one with blood running through its streets and gunshots sounding off in parts of the city almost always, one with protests held in order to get justice for dozens of Zainab and Shahzaibs. Karachi, a city I call home despite its flaws and defects, a city I’m in a toxic relationship with, a city I can’t hold accountable for the actions of its people. Karachi, my saving grace, the home I’ll always find my way back to no matter what continent I’m on.
