Karachi - City of Lights

Cosmopolitan Karachi (Kurrachee), the largest and the most populous city (12 million) of Pakistan and the capital of the Sindh province, presents an interesting and colorful combination of the old and new. It is the former capital of Pakistan and is situated on a beautiful natural harbor northwest of the Indus River Delta. The hub of a sprawling metropolitan area, the narrow twisting lanes and alleys of the old city throb with life along-side the 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. Its restaurants provide a wide choice of Pakistani and Western cuisine. Its markets and bazaar offer and endless variety of exciting shopping including indigenous handicrafts, rugs and carpets of rare design and beauty.

Karachi's recorded history goes back to the 18th century when it was a small fishing village known as Kolachi. Karachi was a small fishing and trade center when it was captured in 1839 and subsequently annexed by the British. With the development of its harbor it gradually grew into a large city and an important center of trade and industry. Its selection as capital of Pakistan in 1947 added to its importance and tremendously boosted the rate of its growth and development.

Although the seat of Government has now been shifted to Islamabad, Karachi still remains the epicenter of commerce and industry, as it is chief transport, financial, commercial, prime banking center and manufacturing center. The city has an important Stock Exchange in the region. The architecture of Karachi blends western, eastern, and Muslim influences. Although the city is unplanned, residential districts have generally developed in concentric rings according to income levels.

It is the country's most important port, serving a large hinterland. The busiest port east of the Suez Canal. Most of the international trade of Pakistan and landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics pass through the city's busy modern ports i.e. Karachi Port-centered on the island of Kiamari and Port Qasim. Major roads and railways converge on the city, and the modern Quaid-e-Azam International Airport is a stopover and refueling point for intercontinental flights.

The many products manufactured in Karachi are steel, textiles, chemicals, refined petroleum, footwear, machinery, handicrafts, and processed food.

It is the country's most important port, serving a large hinterland. The busiest port east of the Suez Canal. Most of the international trade of Pakistan and landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics pass through the city's busy modern ports i.e. Karachi Port-centered on the island of Kiamari and Port Qasim. Major roads and railways converge on the city, and the modern Quaid-e-Azam International Airport is a stopover and refueling point for intercontinental flights.

Among the finest and premier educational institutions of the country there are the University of Karachi, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology, Agha Khan University, Hamdard University, Institute of Business Administration, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Jinnah Women University, Baqai Medical University, Textile University of Pakistan,

National University of Sciences and Technology (Pakistan Navy Engineering College), Southeastern University, Preston University, Adamsons University, SZABIST, FAST Institute of Computer Sciences, Usman Institute of Technology, Dow Medical College, Sindh Medical College, Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Dawood Engineering College, Government College of Technology, Indus Valley School of Arts, College of Business Management, Sindh Madressa tul Islam, Urdu College, Law Colleges and many more are located here.

The tomb of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan, is a well-known landmark besides this there are Mereweather Tower, D J College, Mohatta Palace, Hindu Gymkhana, Jehangir Kothari Parade, Saint Peters Cathedral, Memon Masjid, Defense Mosque, Satya Narain Temple, KMC Building, Habib Bank Plaza, Clifton's Fish House, Tomb of Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ghazi, Manora Island, Hawks Bay, Sandspit, French Beach, Paradise Point, Clifton, Harbor, Hub Dam, Cape Mount and Russian Beach for sight seeing.