After the founding of the new Muslim State of Pakistan out of northwest India
in 1947, Karachi was the national capital until 1959, when Rawalpindi was designated
the provisional capital pending the development of Islamabad, which became
the national capital in 1967. It is strategically well placed on the south
coast, the country's largest city and busiest port, and is the capital of Sind
province.
The hub of a sprawling metropolitan area, Karachi is also the nation's chief
financial, commercial, and manufacturing center. Most of the international
trade of Pakistan and Afghanistan passes through the city's busy modern port,
centered on the island of Kiamari. Major highways and railroads focus on the
city, and the modern airport here is a stopover and refueling point for intercontinental
flights. Among the many products of Karachi are steel, textiles, chemicals,
refined petroleum, footwear, machinery, handicrafts, and processed food. The
city is an important banking center and has a stock exchange. The University
of Karachi (1951) and NED University of Engineering and Technology (1922) are
here. The tomb of, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan, is a landmark.
An old settlement, Karachi was a small fishing and trade center when captured
by the British in 1839 and annexed three years later. It proved an attractive
port, giving access to the important River Indus valley but far enough from
the delta to avoid silting up. Under British rule, it became the chief outlet
for Indus Valley cotton and grain exports. During the early years of independence
Karachi grew rapidly as the industrial center of West Pakistan, and many Muslim
refugees from India settled here. The population is now approaching 10 million.
Visitors should check the security situation with their embassies.
Infants are not provided with a seat. If your baby is more than 6 months old, you may book a seat for him/her listing him/her as a “child”. More information is available at carriage of infants.
