Karachi, The City of Lights.

With an area of 3,530 km² (2,193 sq mi) Karachi is the largest city of Pakistan and the 20th largest city in the world. It is also regarded as one of the fastest growing cities in the world. Upon the independence of Pakistan it was made capital of the country. These days it serves as a major sea port, financial capital, center of social and educational activities and the capital of Sindh province. Being the birth and death place of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah it is respected by every Pakistani and due to the same reason it is known as "The City of Quaid". Karachi has been ranked as Beta World City, as of 2008. People from all over Pakistan visit Karachi to get higher education and for better employment.

In the past Karachi was visited by Alexander the Great who camped here for some time and prepared a fleet for the conquest of Babylonia after conquering Indus Valley. The Greeks used various names for the city including Krokola and Morontobara. In 712 the Arab commander Muhammad-bin-Qasim, in his early twenties, entered the Indus Valley through this port and fought with the armies of Raja Dahir. Raja was defeated and Sindh along with Karachi and it's port came under the control of Arabs. The Arabs called it Debal. The present city started life as a small fishing town found by Balochis. In those days it was called Kolachi. Soon it became a center of commerce and trade links were developed with Muskat and Persian gulf. A small fort was constructed for its protection, armed with cannons imported from Muscat. The fort had two main gateways: one facing the sea, known as Kharra Darwaaza (Brackish Gate) (Kharadar)and the other facing the Lyari River known as the Meet'ha Darwaaza (Sweet Gate) (Mithadar). The location of these gates correspond to the modern areas of Kharadar (Khārā Dar) and Mithadar. In 1839 British took over the fort and afterwards in 1843 British army annexed whole of Sindh. In 1864 the first telegraph line was laid between Karachi and in 1878 the city was connected to the rest of British India via rail. At last in 1947 it became a part of Pakistan.

Karachi is locally called "The City of Lights" and the night view of the city is truly magnificient. The highest building of Pakistan, Habib Bank Plaza, is also present here. The most remarkable places and tourists attractions include Clifton, Empress market, Mohatta palace, Tomb of Quaid-e-Azam and the Chaukandi tombs.

The Mohatta Palace

Chaukandi tombs

Kalash

In the mountain valleys of northern Pakistan live the people with most extraordinary rituals, beliefs and culture, the Kalash. Kalash are an ethnic group residing among the towering mountains of Hindu Kush range. Their population is about 6000 and they speak the Kalasha language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of languages (Urdu and Pushto are also understood widely as secondary languages). The word Kalash has been derived from the name of Kafiristan Kalasha which was present in Afghanistan.



These people are polytheists and their culture is completely different from the overall culture of Pakistan. The most remarkable element of their culture is the dress they wear. Women use long black robes and head gears with eye-catching beads, buttons and feathers on it while men distinguish themselves by wearing special woolen hats with feathers and small metallic bells on it. Most men use Shalwar Kameez as their general dress. Nature plays central role in the lives of these people. Every year a number of festivals and sacrifices are arranged to give thanks to gods. The three main festivals include Joshi festival in late May, the Uchau in autumn, and the Caumus in midwinter. Crows represent the ancestors of Kalash people. That is why crows are treated with respect and are fed at special occasions and festivals. In general the Kalash have a close link with Indo-Iranian traditions.

A man dancing during Uchaw festival

The Kalash were ruled by Mehtar of Chitral from 1700s onward. Although the original Kafiristan Kalasha (Afghanistan) was converted to Nuristan by Amir Abdur Rehman after the Durand agreement in 1890s, the Kalash of Pakistan enjoy a complete social and religious liberty and have strong relations with the Muslims of nearby areas. Strong measures are being taken to conserve the Kalash language as it has been declared endangered by UNESCO. Currently about 5,000 people speak Kalasha. Badshah Munir Bukhari unicoded the Kalasha Language in 2005. Working in close collaboration with various international researchers and linguists. Today the Kalash people are prospering and their numbers are increasing. Tourism now makes up a large portion of the economic activities of the Kalash. To cater to these new visitors, small stores and guest houses have been erected, providing new luxury for visitors of the valleys. People attempting to enter the valleys have to pay a toll to the Pakistani government, which is used to preserve and care for the Kalash people and their culture.