Karachi aims to reclaim culturally diverse space

Multiple groups have decided to reclaim their city’s cultural and physical space to return it to its lost glory after years of crime, violence, and “disrespect” for its cutlural and architectural heritage.

Groups in Karachi want to return the city to is former peace and aesthetics through a program of events. The events, still being arranged, will comprise colourful artistic pursuits. Some believe that the significance of Karachi’s culturally diverse and demographically large populuation has been neglected and forgotten, and wish to revive this diversity. The population of Karachi includes Muslim and non-Muslim Karachiites; with non-Muslim groups including Zoroastrians, Hindis, and Goan Christians.

The city has expanded to 20 million people (the entire population of Sri Lanka within the city of Karachi; and even the entire population of Australia!). Some say that it will be a colossal task to gain the vast population’s “emotional attachment” to the city, but that it is a healthy sign to reclaim its historically diverse culture.

Dawn, Islamabad, May 18, 2015

MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of:- The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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