Country | Pakistan |
Population | 20382881 |
Area | 3,527 km2 (1,362 sq mi) |
Time Zone | UTC+05:00 (PKT) |
Coordinates | 24.8608, 67.0104 |
Highest elevation | 10 m (30 ft) |
City Gallery
City Description
Karachi, the capital city of the Sindh province in Pakistan, is the largest city in the country and one of the most populous in the world, with a population exceeding 20 million as of the 2023 Census. Strategically located on the Arabian Sea coast at the southern tip of Pakistan, Karachi was once the capital of the nation. It is recognized as a beta-global city and stands as Pakistan’s leading industrial and financial hub, with an estimated GDP of over $200 billion (PPP) as of 2021.
The city’s cosmopolitan nature makes it one of Pakistan’s most linguistically, ethnically, and religiously diverse cities. Historically, the area has been inhabited for millennia, but the modern city traces its origins to the fortified village of Kolachi, established in 1729. The arrival of the British East India Company in the mid-19th century marked a turning point, as British administrators embarked on substantial development projects to transform Karachi into a major seaport connected to the Indian subcontinent’s extensive railway network.
Karachi’s population dramatically increased following Pakistan’s independence in 1947, fueled by the influx of hundreds of thousands of Muslim immigrants (Muhajirs) from India and the exodus of its Hindu residents. This migration spurred rapid economic growth, attracting people from across Pakistan and South Asia. As of 2023, Karachi’s population was 20.3 million, making it one of the fastest-growing cities globally. It houses significant communities representing nearly every ethnic group in Pakistan, along with more than two million Bengali immigrants, a million Afghan refugees, and up to 400,000 Rohingyas from Myanmar.
Karachi’s economic importance is unmatched in Pakistan. The city’s formal economy was valued at $190 billion in 2021, making it the largest in the country. Karachi generates approximately 25% of Pakistan’s entire GDP and collects 35% of the nation’s tax revenue. Around 30% of Pakistan’s industrial output comes from Karachi, with the city’s ports handling 95% of Pakistan’s foreign trade. The city is home to 90% of the multinational corporations operating in Pakistan and all of the country’s banks.
Karachi also serves as a significant transportation hub, featuring Pakistan’s two largest seaports—Port of Karachi and Port Qasim—and the busiest airport in the country, Jinnah International Airport. The city is a cultural and fashion hub, hosting the annual Karachi Fashion Week since 2009.
Known as the “City of Lights” during the 1960s and 1970s for its vibrant nightlife, Karachi faced severe challenges in the 1980s due to ethnic, sectarian, and political conflicts, exacerbated by the influx of weaponry during the Soviet–Afghan War. The city’s crime rates soared, but a concerted crackdown by the Pakistan Rangers on criminals, the MQM political party, and Islamist militants initiated in 2013 led to a significant reduction in violence. Consequently, Karachi dropped from being the world’s 6th-most dangerous city for crime in 2014 to 128th by 2022.
Today, Karachi continues to be Pakistan’s economic powerhouse, a melting pot of cultures, and a symbol of resilience and dynamism. The city’s ongoing development and diverse population ensure its central role in Pakistan’s future.
Leave a Reply