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    'The Narrative - Karachi Calling' at IBA: Representing the City through Literature, Art and Film

    Written by: Areeba Tharwani
    Posted on: April 18, 2017 |

    Jibran Nasir on 'The Ghettoization of Karachi' at IBA

    "Karachi Kya Hai?" ("What is Karachi?")

    As I entered the outdoor area where we were meant to be seated, I was greeted by a man saying this in a video that was playing on loop. By the twelfth time I heard this phrase, I thought to myself, "Karachi wo jaga bhi hai jahan har event aik ghanta late shuru hota hai." (“Karachi is also the place where all events begin an hour late.")

    True to its calling, this particular Karachi event also began 45 minutes past the designated time. Once the managers of the IBA Literary Society declared the event officially open, I looked around, feeling surprised and proud to see a good number of youngsters in the audience, who wanted to be part of a meaningful discussion on the history, culture, and hope for change in Karachi.

    Day 1 of ‘The Narrative – Karachi Calling’ began with the screening of a short film by a group of 3rd year Karachi University students. The film featured snippets capturing the essence of Karachi – the inside of a crowded bus, camels on our beautiful Arabian seashore, colourful shops displaying bangles, and steam rising from mouthwatering katakatt – all hitting that sweet spot in the heart of a die-hard Karachiite like myself.

    Mr. Akhtar Balouch of Dawn, however, followed this sweet serenade by shedding light on some bitter truths in the history of Karachi: how Pakistanis have an inherent need to obliterate any sign of non-muslims/foreigners from their homeland, even if those individuals helped build the country. I believe Mr. Balouch was referring to Karachi's lost Jewish community. He explained how Jinnah's Flagstaff House was designed by a Jewish architect, Moses Somake (1875-1947), never to be accredited. How controversial names of places like Raam Baagh got changed to Araam Baagh, and Abraham Road to Ibrahim Road. How the Magen Shalom Synagogue was razed to the ground in July 1988 to pave the way for a shopping plaza – Madiha Square. He shared insight about how Seth Naomal, the so-called "Traitor of Sindh", did what he did to avenge his father of the doings of the 'Mirs' of Sindh. Mr. Balouch ended his talk by recalling how Karachi had started becoming intolerant centuries ago, when its diverse range of inhabitants were gradually driven out.

    Next came Mr. Imran Azhar, Founding CEO of AzCorp Entertainment. Team AzCorp aims to instill a sense of social consciousness in our younger generations through the art of storytelling. They create engaging comics with heroes that are relatable. Notable storylines include a team of multiethnic, multicultural youngsters fighting for socioeconomic justice, a Makrani orphaned transgender girl zipping through North Nazimabad on her Vespa, and a team of kids solving a mystery using education. Their comics create awareness on sensitive issues such as child marriage, acid attacks, pollution, gang wars, drug problems, and many others.

    It was inspiring to see how so many different people and organizations are doing their part to improve the city. Feica, the famous cartoonist took the mic next, explaining how he uses cartoons as a tool to create sparks of change. A multitude of representatives from student-run NGOs like ‘First Hand’, ‘Pakistan Speaks’ and ‘Patients Helping Hands’ shared their stories of conducting voluntary welfare work. A student gave the simplest message for anyone who desires to bring change: “Just start!”

    The Narrative - Karachi Calling at IBA

    (source: Facebook/The Narrative)

    Representatives from Youth Unity Movement (YUMs) explained how they aim to unite the youth and shake their moral conscience into working for a better society. Farooq Soomro AKA Karachi Waala took his ten minutes to explain to us how there is still so much culture and heritage in Karachi that no one really aims to preserve. He talked of a few old businesses that are facing a looming threat of being wiped out. Amongst his examples were Karachi Antique Market in China Shopping Mall Saddar, bookstores such as Thomas & Thomas, Tit Bit Book Stall, Pioneer Book House, Anjuman-e-Taraqi Urdu bookshop, and music stores like Abdul Waheed Music Shop in Lalukhet, Saleem and Sons and Sohail Music Shop near Atrium.

    Next came Ali Shambeel Jaffri, an IBA student who had an interesting talk about his research on the writings on walls that we see around us so often but choose to ignore. He discussed that no matter how violent the spray-painted messages are on the crumbling walls of Karachi, the citizens have a habit of accepting the message and internalizing it without giving it much thought, resulting in growing intolerance.

    Two of the most motivational speakers were Mr. Salman Elahi and Mr. Imran Ghanchi. Elahi is a visually impaired man who has completed a double Master’s and is now pursuing a PhD, while being Chairman of Pakistan Blind Sports Federation and Team Lead of K-Electric Head Call Center. Ghanchi, while living with bilateral lower limb impairment, discovered his niche of creating retrofit cars for the disabled. Both human rights activists left us with a staggering message: if they can achieve so much and turn their lives around while being less fortunate, why can’t we?

    The Narrative - Karachi Calling at IBA

    (source: Facebook/The Narrative)

    The final speaker of the night was the renowned stand-up comedian, Shehzad Ghias. He ended the night on a lighter note, presenting a fusion of all themes highlighted through the night in a flavour everyone could enjoy. His motto? To use comedy to stir the stone-set thoughts that keep our society from progressing.

    As I was leaving the venue, I noticed a beautiful exhibition of photography and art by students of IVS, KU and Indus University, showcasing their representation of Karachi.

    'Policing Extremism' by DIG Aamir Farooqui - The Narrative - Karachi Calling at IBA

    'Policing Extremism' by DIG Aamir Farooqui

    The night left me feeling reinvigorated. It was an enlightening and encouraging experience listening to such a diverse panel of speakers. And this was just the first day, with the second day including speakers such as Jibran Nasir talking about the ghettoization of Karachi and DIG Aamir Farooqui speaking on policing extremism. All in all, ‘Karachi Calling’ provided a refreshing variation from the usual clang and clamour about this city (and Pakistan in general) heading speedily down the road of doom.


    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