Karachi - Kaleidoscopic View

NameKarachi (originally : Kolachi). Former capital of Pakistan.

Population13,269,265 (2003)

Longitude & Latitude24° 5' N, 67° 2' E

AreaUrban 1800 sq.kms. & Divisional 3365 sq.kms.

Time ZoneStandard Time is GMT plus 5 hours.

Climate & WeatherKarachi has a sub-tropical and temperate climate, with sunny, blue skies expected most of the year (occasional monsoon rains in summer). Karachi has quite a stagnant weather but there are a few temperature Variations. From November to February temperature is From 8 to 28 Degrees With an average humidity of 65% From March to April Temperature remains between 25 - 38 Degrees and from May to October Temperature remains between 28 - 39 Degrees. There is very little rain fall but due to the monsoon From July to August casual rain showers are expected, which some times may be extended to September.

ClothingLight woolen in winter and light tropical in summer. Women, in public places, should wear long skirts or pants and full sleeve blouses.

LanguagesEnglish (official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries). Urdu is a national and official language.

AirportKarachi Airport, commonly known as Jinnah International Airport is a strategically located gateway to the Far East and Europe. The airport provides facilities for almost 6 million passengers, with over 50,000 annual aircraft movements and contributes Rs. 3 billion in economic benefits to the region.

VisasAll foreigners coming to Pakistan need a valid passport. Tourists from the following countries do not need visa to enter Pakistan for the period specified as under;

1. Iceland, Maldives, Singapore, South Korea, Zambia and Mauritius, for 3 months.
2. Hong Kong, Nepal and Western Samoa, for 1 month.
3. Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, for unlimited period Landing permit/transit visa for 30 days shall be given at entry points/airports, by Pakistan Immigration, free of cost, to genuine tourists/ businessmen.

CurrencyBasic unit of currency is Pakistani rupee which divides into 100 paisa. Coins of 1 & 2, and 5 are in use. Currency notes of 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rupees are in use.

Credit CardsVisa & Master are the most widely accepted card. American Express is also good and accepted at selected outlets. Dinner Club and other cards have more limited use.

TippingGenerally hotels and restaurants add on a 5 – 10% service charge to the bill, but tipping or what is locally known, as baksheesh is an accepted norm.

Useful Numbers

• Police: 15
• Ambulance: 115
• Fire: 16
• Hospital: (92-21) 7729719
• Time: 14
• Weather: (92-21) 4572811

Electricity220 V, 50 Hz AC.

Health RisksYellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers arriving from endemic zone. Vaccination against cholera, hepatitis, typhoid and polio is recommended. Malaria risk exists in Pakistan throughout the year. All foreigners coming to stay in Pakistan for over one year, require AIDS free certificate.

Business HoursOffice Hours: 9 am to 5 PM with one hour break from Monday to Thursday and with two hours break on Fridays, Saturday is half working day from 9 am to 1:30 PM without break. Sunday is off.

Holidays

• March 23 : Pakistan Day
• February 5 : Kashmir Day
• August 14 : Independence Day
• November 9 : Allama Mohammad Iqbal Day
• December 25 : Christmas Day; Quaid-e-Azam’s Birthday
• December 31 : Bank Holiday

DrivingInternational Drivers License is valid here. Plus, Car on rentals and Radio Cabs are too easily available.

Mobile ConnectivityPrepaid sim cards are available. Mobilink, U-fone, Paktel and Instaphone are currently working in the city. Lowest pre-paid card units are as follows :

• Mobilink : Rs.325
• U-fone : Rs. 250
• Paktel : Rs.150
• Instaphone : Rs.300

Internet ConnectivityBroadband connectivity is provided. Number of Cyber Cafes are available nearly in every vicinity. Major ISPs are :

• CyberNet
• SuperNet
• NetSol

GDP Growth Rate4.8%

Inflation5.2% (2000 est.)

ImportsMachinery, petroleum, petroleum products, chemicals, transportation equipment, edible oils, grains, pulses, flour.

ExportsTextiles (garments, cotton cloth, and yarn)

Major Trading PartnersHong Kong, UK, Germany, Saudi Arabia, UAE, US, Japan, Malaysia

IndustriesAir Conditioners, Chemicals, Cement, Ship-Building, Shoe Making, Printing Paper, Tyre & Tube, Hosiery, Oil Refining, Textiles.

GovernmentPakistan is an Islamic republic with its capital at Islamabad. It has four provinces: Balochistan, North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Punjab and Sindh. Their respective capitals are Quetta, Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi. In addition to provinces, are the Federal Administered Northern Areas (F.A.N.A) and Federal Administered Tribal Areas (F.A.T.A). Pakistan has a federal structure. Parliament consists of National Assembly and the Senate. Members of the National Assembly are directly elected on the adult franchise base and there term of office is five years. The National Assembly determine the major policy issue and passes annual budget and legislation. It elects the Prime Minister from among its members. The Prime Minister forms his / her cabinet from among members of the Assembly and Senate. Provinces have their own elected legislative Assemblies and Chief Ministers. Majority of the members, of the upper house are elected by the Provincial Assemblies.

GeographyKarachi, the largest and the most popular city of Pakistan presents an interesting and colorful combination of the old and new. The narrow twisting lanes and alleys of the old city throb with life alongside wide metallic roads and elegant modern buildings. Within the city, talented artisans with age-old skills produce handicrafts of exquisite beauty. Karachi offers a variety of pleasant attractions: wide sunny beaches, deep-sea fishing, yachting, golf and horse racing all year round. It restaurants cater to a wide choice of Pakistani and western cuisine. Its markets and bazaars offer an endless variety of exciting shopping including indigenous handicrafts, particularly rugs and carpets of rare design and beauty.

Ethnic GroupsPunjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch.

LanguagesPunjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8%

Literacy42.7%

ReligionMuslim (97%), Hindu (1.5%), Christian (1%) and several other minorities.