Asia

(12) Karachi – Pakistan’s Largest City & Global Megacity

Karachi, though not widely known in some regions, is a global megacity with a population of approximately 20 million. It serves as Pakistan’s largest city.

Table of Contents

Toggle

1. City Overview

Population: The estimated metropolitan population for 2025 is approximately 18.08 million. The total city population in 2023 was 20.30 million.
Area: The city’s administrative area covers approximately 591 km², while the metropolitan area is about 1,450 km².
Languages: The primary language is Urdu (50.6%), followed by Pashto (13.5%), Sindhi (11.1%), Punjabi (8.1%), and other languages like Seraiki and Balochi.
Religion: Islam (96.5%) is the dominant religion, with Sunnis comprising 66% and Shias 34%. Christianity accounts for 2.2% and Hinduism 1.1%, with other religions making up the remainder.
City Status: Karachi holds a “Beta-Global City” status.
Economic Scale: The nominal GDP was approximately 200 billion USD (PPP) in 2021.

2. History 🕰️

Formation as a Fishing Village (~1729): Karachi originated as a fishing settlement known as Kolachi-jo-Goth.
British Colonial Period (~19th Century): Following the East India Company’s entry in the mid-18th century, it grew into a trade hub with the development of its port and railway network.
Pakistan’s Independence (1947): At the time of independence, its population was 400,000, which rapidly increased after the influx of Muslim immigrants. It served as the national capital from 1947 to 1959 and is currently the largest city.
Modernization and Population Surge (1960s–Present): Since the 1960s, it has undergone urbanization and industrialization, becoming a megacity due to the migration of refugees and internal migrants. Its population is projected to reach 18-20 million by 2025.

3. Geography

Location: Karachi is situated on the Arabian Sea coast of western India, west of the Indus Delta.
Topographical Features: It features a coastal plain, seasonal rivers (Malir River, Lyari River), and northern mountainous areas (reaching up to 528m).
Port Infrastructure: Karachi Port and Port Qasim serve as natural harbors.

4. Culture

Multi-Ethnic and Multicultural City: It is a diverse city where various groups like Muhajirs (Urdu-speaking migrants), Pashto, Sindhi, Punjabi, and Balochi coexist.
Religious Diversity: It has Pakistan’s largest Christian and Hindu communities, with churches and temples distributed throughout the city.
Urban Cultural Atmosphere: Known as the “City of Lights,” it boasts a vibrant arts, literature, and food culture.

5. Environment

Climate & Natural Disasters: The city has a mixed tropical and desert climate. It frequently experiences heavy rainfall, floods, smog, and poor drainage issues.
Urban Challenges: Key environmental issues include extreme population density and slums, the urban heat island effect, lack of clean drinking water, inadequate sanitation, and drainage systems.
Response Strategies: Karachi is implementing the “Karachi Breeze” mass transit system and plans to expand port and road infrastructure.

6. Economy

Trade and Logistics Hub: Karachi hosts Pakistan’s two largest ports and an airport serving over 6 million passengers, making it a national logistics hub.
Fisheries Industry: Over 700,000 people are employed in the fishing industry, which is crucial for the export-based economy.
Industrial Composition: Its economy is diversified, combining finance, commerce, manufacturing, and service industries. It benefits from a broad domestic market and a steady supply of migrant labor.

7. Key Locations

Historical and Cultural Landmarks: These include Merewether Tower, Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah Park, and Empress Market.
Port and Industrial Zones: Notable sites are the Port of Karachi, Port Bin Qasim, and Jinnah International Airport.
Commercial and Residential Centers: High-income residential areas include Saddar, Clifton, and Defence Housing Authority (DHA).

8. Conclusion

Karachi is recognized as Pakistan’s economic, industrial, and logistical heart, and a global megacity.

Strengths: It benefits from a strategic port location, a trade-centric economy, a multicultural society, and broad growth momentum.
Challenges: These include environmental pollution, urban heat island effect, floods, sanitation issues, and infrastructure imbalance.
Future Strategy: The city plans to build eco-friendly drainage and water/sewage infrastructure, expand its public transportation network, implement urban regeneration and housing improvement projects, and promote policies for sustainable industrial and marine resource protection.