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    Terror, Poverty and a Ray of Hope: Karachi Cantonment Railway Station

    Written by: Amber Juman
    Posted on: July 13, 2016 | | 中文

    Karachi Cantonment Railway Station

    “I didn’t tell him that I grew up in an ugly city that taught me how to look between dust and rubbish and potholes to find a splinter of glass that looked like unmelting ice, beautiful in its defiance of the sun.” – Kamila Shamsie, Kartography

    Cantt Railway Station Karachi

    City of lights, that's what it used to be called. City of terror and poverty, that's what it has become. Once every year, life – or maybe we should say destiny – brings me to the gates of the Cantonment Station of Clifton. Once every year I have to board that train, forget about belonging to the posh areas of Clifton, join the hustle and bustle, and face the reality of my city. I remember the time when we used to live in Mirpurkhas and would come to visit Karachi, and I would be the one to be jostled and looked down upon. We as humans so easily forget our origins. Thinking of that time makes me nostalgic. Everything was so different then…the trains, the people, me, and especially Karachi. If there is anything that hasn’t changed, it is the ever-demanding coolies.

    Cantt Railway Station Karachi

    Transportation plays a key role in any nation’s development. The Indo-Pak railway system was introduced during the British Raj. At that time cargo from Karachi harbor was shipped across India using steamers of ‘Indus Flotilla Company’. The building of Cantt. Station Karachi was constructed back in 1898. Before that, it was known as Frère Street Railway Station. It was one end of the first section constructed between Karachi and Kotri. The construction of Cantt. Station was one of the first steps taken to reduce the lead time of shipments.

    Cantt Railway Station Karachi

    I sit in my compartment thinking of a time when this very city had been so different. When there was more value for life than money. We have come such a long way. Some would say we have become modern and progressed in life, but one should wonder, is the construction of more bridges and more buildings the definition of progress? The voice of a girl brings me back to reality. I look at her and it seems like I’m being shown one of the sad faces of my city. She enters my compartment, begging for money, and I smile in sympathy for her and pity for my city. Her ragged clothes, sunken eyes and bare feet pull at my heart as I search through my bag for some pennies. The sharp sound of a slap makes me look up with a gasp. The train constable is standing over the cowering girl. The pennies fall from my hands and my eyes tear up. Before I can utter a word, the constable has dragged the girl by her collar and thrown her out. He looks at me as if expecting praise. I turn towards the window, having given up on the last threads of hope for my city. My gaze falls on those lying on the platforms, on those selling in the stalls, on those families whose eyes beseech me for help. Like every year, I once again leave everything behind, as the train starts its journey.

    Cantt Railway Station Karachi

    A man taking a nap between the railway tracks (photos.thenews.com.pk)

    “This was the Karachi now – barbed wires protecting consulates, the pretentious covering themselves with faces of those who were hiding behind those barbed wires. This was Karachi – gaudy and luxurious, with a façade of glamour, ignoring the truth underneath. But Sophie was no cynic, and still loved the city she had returned to. “You can’t hate what’s yours”, she smiled to herself.” – Umair Naeem, Drowning Shadows

    Cantt Railway Station Karachi

    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021