Karachi focus

[Bengal_Tiger]

Great Thread, didn't notice it before

Bengal Tiger, does Karachi remind you of Dhaka a bit? I know Dhaka is more greener, but the general look of the city?

Before I went to Dhaka I heard lots of horrible things about it. From what I've seen of Karachi in pictures:

1. Karachi is geographically a bigger city with wider roads though Dhaka has more skyscrapers and more tall buildings. In South Asia it's Mumbai and Dhaka which have the most skyscrapers as far as I know.

2. There are a lot of good restaurants in Dhaka.

3. One of the worst aspects of Dhaka is the horrific traffic problem there. If you do go to Bangladesh, visit Dhaka for a day or two e.g. to see your friend's wedding (if he hasn't already got married) and then go with him to more scenic places like the Sundarbans, Cox's bazar, Bandarbans etc.



The Bengal Tiger in the Sundarbans.








Bandarbans.






Cox's bazar resort.

[Bengal_Tiger]

^^

I don't agree with MQM bhatta khori but they are right about zalim Sindhi PPP waderas.

I see so the MQM are as violent as they are reputed to be, but also at the same time critical of the backwards feudalism of the waderas and others.

PPP don't develop interior sindh and neither allocate enough funds for Karachi. Most corrupt party in Pakistan is PPP and the reason is they don't have any competition what so ever. They know they will win in interior sindh and form government without Karachi people votes.

I've heard that Sindh is a heavily feudal society where the waderas (landlords for guest readers) are almost like demi-gods and the Sindhi peasants are basically serfs or slaves and revere their mini-dictator landlords and have to do whatever they say e.g. the Waderas have their own private prisons.

So what needs to be done? After next census seats in parliament needs to be adjusted, I'm sure Karachi should have almost half of Sindh seats if population estimates are right. And with it half of sindh budget should be given to Karachi.

How can that ever happen, it may sound great (no idea how valid an idea it is as I'm not a specialist on Karachi or Sindh affairs) but how can you do that especially as now the main Mohajir nationalist party, the MQM seems to be de-fanged?

If not then we will come out and close down Karachi.

Isn't that the whole point of the now 3 year clamp down...precisely that the MQM and others are so weak that you can't do things like close Karachi down?

[Bengal_Tiger]

Unfortunately a lot of Pashtuns are involved in Karachi Drugs and Human trafficking, this is how a lot of Pashtuns have gotten rich here and live in their defense/Clifton mansions. Even ANP leader like Shahi syed, nobody knows how he got rich so quick, he is just of thousands of examples. Of course parties like MQM, PPP are also involved

Apparently the ANP have been weakened heavily in Karachi including in its Pashtun strongholds and are almost a non-entity in some ways, well compared to before.

Karachi needs an army of it's own, and it is not really part of Pakistan if you think about it, though in recent years things seems to have cooled down

I feel sorry for "Mohajirs", many of them sincerely believed that they were going to a holy Muslim/Islamic state for the sake of Islam, the way Zaid Hamid describes Pakistan, then they ended up living in a state where they are second class citizens and seen as racially inferior. Bengalis were kind of similar but were always "sons of the soil" in east Pakistan, whereas Mohajirs in Karachi/Sindh aren't.

Bengalis also have control of their own state now, whereas Mohajirs don't and are 2nd class citizens in Punjabi ruled Pakistan.

I know most Mohajirs are strong Pakistan supporters and would ideally like it to work but a lot (maybe majority) know how racist and discriminatory Punjabis are. Who knows, maybe things will get better, though I disagree with Imran Khan on certain things I think he represents in some ways a more progressive type of politician that wants to solve problems.

Most Mohajirs are pro-Pakistan and want it to work....if it doesn't then it may collapse as the Islamic scholars and Sufi saints of India foretold in the 1940s. A new Sindhi state would emerge but as Sindhis are less chauvinistic and arrogant than Punjabis, I think Mohajirs, Pashtuns, Sindhis, Bengalis, Baloch and others would live somewhat more harmoniously in an independent Sindh. This is not to advocate Sindhi independence, it's a decision for the people of Sindh and Karachi and I totally accept that most Sindhis and Mohajirs are very pro-Pakistan.

[Karachi]

^ there is a huge divide in Pakistan between different ethnic groups. Since Karachi is a melting pot of different ethnicities, you can see this divide clearly. This is the reality of a so called muslim country

Muhajirs support Pakistan, because they have no choice, they can't go back to India, because India wont except them and where would they go anyways? all the places they knew back in India are long gone. Same thing happened with my family, my grandfather use to have land in Varanasi (Banaras) India, yet now the land has some railway station built on it, and this was the last time he visited India back in 1988. A lot of muhajirs have migrated out of Pakistan though, places like MIddle East, UK, America, Canada

[Karachi]

Before I went to Dhaka I heard lots of horrible things about it. From what I've seen of Karachi in pictures:

1. Karachi is geographically a bigger city with wider roads though Dhaka has more skyscrapers and more tall buildings. In South Asia it's Mumbai and Dhaka which have the most skyscrapers as far as I know.

2. There are a lot of good restaurants in Dhaka.

3. One of the worst aspects of Dhaka is the horrific traffic problem there. If you do go to Bangladesh, visit Dhaka for a day or two e.g. to see your friend's wedding (if he hasn't already got married) and then go with him to more scenic places like the Sundarbans, Cox's bazar, Bandarbans etc.



The Bengal Tiger in the Sundarbans.








Bandarbans.






Cox's bazar resort.

I really want to visit Bangladesh one day, I missed my friends wedding, I was busy with my own wedding lol. But yeah he keeps calling me there

I also want to visit India, since my roots are still from there. India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are the really the best places in south Asia

[Bengal_Tiger]

^ there is a huge divide in Pakistan between different ethnic groups. Since Karachi is a melting pot of different ethnicities, you can see this divide clearly. This is the reality of a so called muslim country

Muhajirs support Pakistan, because they have no choice, they can't go back to India, because India wont except them and where would they go anyways? all the places they knew back in India are long gone. Same thing happened with my family, my grandfather use to have land in Varanasi (Banaras) India, yet now the land has some railway station built on it, and this was the last time he visited India back in 1988. A lot of muhajirs have migrated out of Pakistan though, places like MIddle East, UK, America, Canada

I knew a Baloch guy from Karachi and he told me the reality of Karachi and Pakistan in general. Pakistanis are very much ethnicity-minded and in his words "No one there calls themselves Pakistani" i.e. in normal life no one thinks we are all Pakistani, but on the basis of I am Baloch, I am Mohajir, I am Pathan etc.

Some Mohajirs have even gone so far to compare their situation to that of the Palestinians. They feel that they are refugees almost with no true land of their own, as they are not indigenous to Karachi but can't go back to India.

Sooner or later I think Pakistan will collapse, of course Pakistani nationalists will disagree, maybe [MENTION=19599]younis[/MENTION] will disagree, maybe I'm totally wrong...BUT if it does I think it'll be replaced by an independent Sindh and as I said the Sindhis are much more relaxed people than the Punjabis, much fairer...and Mohajirs will live happier in an independent Sindh.

[Bengal_Tiger]

I really want to visit Bangladesh one day, I missed my friends wedding, I was busy with my own wedding lol. But yeah he keeps calling me there

I also want to visit India, since my roots are still from there. India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are the really the best places in south Asia

If you go to Bangladesh, you can try and organize a cheap round ticket covering Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan...I was told of the prices once by one guy and don't know if he was telling the truth but it was really cheap (back then at least).

[younis]

Isn't that the whole point of the now 3 year clamp down...precisely that the MQM and others are so weak that you can't do things like close Karachi down?

Yes to extent, see today how these punjabi muchars rangers (yes rangers in Karachi are vast majority from punjab ironically) intimidating MQM workers and leaders.

Farooq Sattar Arrested By Police And Rangers 22 August 216 - YouTube

While terrorist Khan aka Imran Khan supporters also attacked PTV channel but nothing was done against them back then because attackers were punjabis.

[Karachi]

I knew a Baloch guy from Karachi and he told me the reality of Karachi and Pakistan in general. Pakistanis are very much ethnicity-minded and in his words "No one there calls themselves Pakistani" i.e. in normal life no one thinks we are all Pakistani, but on the basis of I am Baloch, I am Mohajir, I am Pathan etc.

Some Mohajirs have even gone so far to compare their situation to that of the Palestinians. They feel that they are refugees almost with no true land of their own, as they are not indigenous to Karachi but can't go back to India.

Sooner or later I think Pakistan will collapse, of course Pakistani nationalists will disagree, maybe @younis will disagree, maybe I'm totally wrong...BUT if it does I think it'll be replaced by an independent Sindh and as I said the Sindhis are much more relaxed people than the Punjabis, much fairer...and Mohajirs will live happier in an independent Sindh.

I wouldn't go far as comparing to Palestinians since they are bombed daily, however yes, muhajirs have no land of their own, this is why many are leaving Pakistan for Canada, US, England, Middle east

[Karachi]

If you go to Bangladesh, you can try and organize a cheap round ticket covering Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan...I was told of the prices once by one guy and don't know if he was telling the truth but it was really cheap (back then at least).

yeah would love to do that, Nepal, Bhutan are also beautiful places, South Asia could be heaven on earth if properly managed

[Bengal_Tiger]

Uber to hit the roads of Karachi from August 25, free rides first week

By Muneeb AhmadMuneeb Ahmad on August 22, 2016 - Like us now!
UBER_
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We reported earlier that Uber will soon be launching its services. The date is finally here, Uber, the global cab hiring service, will be hitting the roads of Karachi from August 25, Dawn has reported.

Uber will be widening its operational outreach in Pakistan, offering its services for the people of Karachi starting this Thursday. Initially, the services will be provided in Clifton, Saddar Town, Jamshed Town, Gulshan-i-Iqbal Town, Liaquatabad, North Nazimabad, Gulberg Town, Malir Town and Korangi. The good news is that the rides for the first week will be totally free of cost.

“Thousands of people have already downloaded the app in Karachi in anticipation. We like to say that cities choose us, instead of Uber choosing cities”, Dawn quoted the Uber Head of Pakistan Expansion Zohair Yousafi. Zohair further said that they have witnessed immense delightful response from Lahore and they were equally looking forward to the people from Karachi.

It is expected that Karachi already will be holding fairly competitive environment. Careem, the MENAP-based startup, has already started its services in Karachi. Uber will try to kill the hype with its relatively lesser costs.

Uber Pricing Plan
Base Fare: 100
Cancellation: 150
Minimum Fare: 150
Per KM: 13.7
Per minute: 3.7
The total cost can be found out by adding both, the distance charge and the time charge to the base fare which remains constant for each ride.

After the indication last year that it will soon be launching its services in Pakistan, Uber launched its services this year starting from Lahore. The next city, which Uber is expected to hit, is definitely Islamabad.

Uber to hit the roads of Karachi from August 25, free rides first week

[Bengal_Tiger]

Fat Sal’s opens doors in Karachi

By Our Correspondent
Published: August 22, 2016



Fat Sal’s specialises in chicken wings and also offers a variety of burgers, gourmet sandwiches and desserts. PHOTO: FILE


KARACHI: If there’s one aspect of Karachi that everyone loves, it’s the ever-expanding food culture. It is in such times that one often wonders, “So many options, so little time!” Add to the list one more option: Fat Sal’s.

The recently opened restaurant is a dream-come-true for proprietor Salman ul Haque. Passionate about food, Haque always knew he wanted to make gastronomy his chief trade. The process, however, was not easy. He took his time to research, test, and play around to find the best he could offer. Two years of hard work and experimentation in the kitchen and Fat Sal’s was born.

Located at Khayaban-e-Muslim, Fat Sal’s offers delicious food in a casual ambience, making the customers feel at home while they eat. “We believe that if the food is good and the quality is consistent, then the concept will work,” said Haque. “That’s what we’re aiming for. To have good, clean and delicious food that everyone can enjoy. We’ve recently started lunch and are aiming to branch out into breakfast soon.”



The diner specialises in chicken wings and also offers a variety of burgers and gourmet sandwiches. “Our specialty is wings and we have seven great flavours to choose from. We’re going to keep on adding new flavours in both the gourmet and hand-spun wings category,” shared the owner. “Our most popular items are the Tangy & Zesty Prawns, Onion Rings, Pik a Pok and Asian Crunch Wings, BBQ Ribs, Classic Burger, Crack n Cheese with Pulled Chicken and the Pulled Short Rib Beef Sandwich.” He further added that the eatery does not disappoint those with a sweet tooth either. The Cookie Monster and Chocolate Obsession are popular items among customers, while the Mint and Pink Lemonade happen to be the most ordered beverages from the menu.

When asked what makes the restaurant stand out from other eateries in Karachi, Haque said, “As mentioned before, Fat Sal’s has a casual ambience. We encourage our customers to use their hands, feel free to be messy and just enjoy their meal without worrying about who’s watching. Another thing that is different about Fat Sal’s is our menu. We have made it super innovative.”

There is a vast variety to choose from, for all three courses, but for any new eatery in Karachi, the challenge does not lie in charting an impressive menu, but in maintaining flavours and offering uncompromised service.

Karachi, with its huge variety of food and subsequently, of restaurants, often sees businesses sprout and then vanish within a short period of time, while some last longer with a sound business strategy. “Our strategy is to consistently offer good food to our customers and to keep innovating so that they will keep coming back to us,” shared Amin. Time will tell if the new venture lives up to the expectations of the hard-to-please Karachiites.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2016.

Fat Sal’s opens doors in Karachi - The Express Tribune

[Bengal_Tiger]

Model of Ocean Heights project in Karachi.





Omega Mall project.











Church in Karachi.



No where on earth are there more Pashtuns than in Karachi. There are more Pakhtuns in Karachi than in Kabul or Pekhawar.