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Karachi, in the eyes of a newcomer - LRE - 09-10-2008 11:16 AM
Karachi, in the eyes of a newcomer
By Amar Guriro
KARACHI: Many people move in to the city from different parts of the country every day to start a business, find a job or live in Karachi, a cosmopolitan city with a population of around 18 million. Every newcomer finds Karachi different from the city he or she comes from, but they share something unique to this city: the vast majority live in rented homes.
This correspondent attempted to find out what newcomers feel about the city. What do they find most attractive, what aspects of the city make them feel for the city? In the survey, this correspondent approached people from all segments of society, from the common man to the high-ranking government official, to judge how each newcomer sees the city. Some enjoy the modern city life, while others are sick of street crime, power cuts and long commuting. Others want to leave the city but the job opportunities force them to stay, while still others want to make Karachi their native city.
“Life in Karachi is different from that of any other city in Pakistan,” said journalist Ahmed Raza, who works for the BBC Urdu service. He moved in from Hyderabad four years ago. “The first six months were difficult but now I have grown used to things. Karachi, a mega city, has a fast life, which Karachiites are used to, but newcomers are not,” he commented.
Laborers find much labor, police officers find many criminals, journalists find stories and bankers get many customers.
Purshotam Kumar, a banker, comes from Nabisar Road, a small village in district Umerkot. He moved to Karachi seven years ago and although he has wanted to go back several times, job opportunities in the city force him to stay on. “Although there are many jobs and much money here, there is no mental satisfaction,” he said. He complains of the lack of a social life. “Back home, people have time to spend with each other, but here nobody has time for others,” he said.
Police officers see this city as a hub of crime. “Living in this city is a high security risk as there is much street crime and criminals escape easily,” said ASP Clifton Asad Raza. He said that the large population and geographical position of the city has made it a hub for criminals. “Karachi is a port city, situated along the border with Balochistan province and any criminal can easily slip away from the police. There is no check and balance so everyone is all-powerful and the police is unable to enforce the law,” said Raza.
Social worker Salim Dharejo enjoys living in the city. “Karachi is a loving mother and takes every citizen in her lap without discrimination,” said Dharejo. He belongs to a small village in district Sanghar and moved to Karachi about seven years ago. “Everyone behaves commercially. Most are deprived of sincerity and try to cheat each other. Politically, the city is under the influence of a single party so most of the politics runs around urban issues,” said Dharejo. His cell phone was snatched several times and he is sick of power cuts but prefers to stay here, citing job opportunities as the biggest reason for his choice.
Former Trade Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) Deputy Manager Shipping Tarique Khan, who now works as a shipping agent for a private shipping firm, feels the city is very materialistic. “People in this city have lost their values and are not offering voluntary service to those who cannot afford something. For example, if I need a lift on any major road in the city, nobody will offer me a ride, fearing criminals. Otherwise it is a great city with a fast life, modern healthcare facilities and good education for children,” said Khan. He said that he prefers to return to his native town in Umerkot.
Muhammad Ibrahim, a laborer at the Karachi Port, calls the city a ‘poor-friendly city’. “I think this is the cheapest city I have ever visited. Even after the recent price hikes, people with low incomes can survive and earn meals for their families,” said Ibrahim. He said that the city accommodates everyone. “If you are a hard worker, you will find something to do. If you don’t want to do anything and just want to sleep, even then the city will allow you to enjoy,” he added.
There is a lot of crime each day but even then people do enjoy city life. “Look, everybody gets robbed at gunpoint at some time or the other, but why do you forget that when robbers are caught is this city, they are burned alive? There is a lot of money and a lot of people. This is becoming a haven for criminals,” said Purshotam Kumar.
ASP Raza says that it is routine to have such a high level of crime in a city of this size. “Take a look at any major city of the world, be it Rome, Cape Town, London or New York. You will find the same rate of crime, but that doesn’t mean that this city is not a place to live. There are some positive aspects including the fact that shopkeepers are honest and will tell you everything about anything they sell and set a fair price as no one has time to bargain,” said Raza.
What he misses, however, is the chance to engage in his hobbies. “If I want to dance, there are no clubs. If I want to read, there are no libraries or citizens do not know about the few libraries that do exist. People have no time for small talk. Otherwise, it is a great city to live in,” said Raza.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C09%5C10%5Cstory_10-9-2008_pg12_10