Karachi is the commercial capital and the biggest city in Pakistan. Pakistan is an Asian country divided into states where the majority of the population is Muslim, and unfortunately it is widely known for the widespread media coverage of terrible events which often seem to result in a high number of casualties.
Even if you are brunette, foreign women here draw attention immediately, being exposed to curious eyes if they are not wearing the local dress, “shalwar kameez.” The local people it seems take a particular fancy to Turks. The former president Pervez Musharraf was trained within the Turkish army and as a fan of Beşiktaş football club he admires Türkiye.
Although Urdu, the native language of the country, is quite different from ours, when your ears get used to it you will notice that they use many common Arabic words. You can start with a greeting like “Asalamualeykum.” 🙂 Most people here can speak at least some English, as a result of being a former British colony. Pakistanis often speak in English among themselves.
It’s important to mention a few points regarding personal security: Before leaving for Pakistan, I recommend you do some research on health issues as it is a very different country and their approach to hygiene may be a bit different from yours. Apart from this, it is useful to have some general information on the history and the agenda of the country beforehand. For example, Indians and Bangladeshis, who share a common past with Pakistanis, are not entirely welcome in this country. Although their dress may seem identical to an outsider, they are actually different. For instance, women who have a “bindi” dot on their forehead are Indian, not Pakistani. They asked me, “why are you like an Indian?” when I had the same dot. Fortunately, there were no security issues to be concerned about. Female visitors may feel more comfortable wearing a tunic, which is similar to the local dress, “shalwar kameez.” This way you can avoid drawing too much attention. Another issue is photography. When we attempted to take an ordinary photo of a bazaar from a distance, they warned us, “please do not take photos of our women.” It is useful to be aware of these kind of cultural details; you can especially benefit from the expat websites in English.
The impact of being a British colony in the past still continues today – cars drive on the left-hand side of the road and tea is taken with milk, which I could not get to like although I tried. Also, the most popular sport is cricket. But Pakistani culture is so dominant and so unique that it shines through even after the impact of the British. For example, you will see the famous buses embellished with flowers and beads, which carry many more people than their official capacity. You will have a hard job to get on them. 🙂 I guess it requires a certain skill, like our “metrobus” culture.
You can also observe many contradictions in daily life. When you visit a doctor to be examined and it turns out they are of the opposite sex, they may not want to examine you by touching. However, the situation may be different for a tailor. If you can afford to hire a gardener, cook, or a servant, which is very cheap and culturally common, they may not find it strange for you to be alone with such an assistant from the opposite sex.
An incredible gap between the welfare levels stands out. We came across “hotels” offered only the service of sleeping outdoor on bedchairs. We witnessed true poverty here. There were people begging by shaking us by the ankle. But if you are staying at the Sheraton Hotel, while having your dinner you can request your favorite song by writing it on a napkin and delivering it to the singer. It is also worth remembering it is forbidden to consume alcohol for the Muslims in the country.
Their meals are rather fatty (for example, I witnessed a meal being served for breakfast which consisted of chickpeas floating in oil) and spices are constantly used as is typical in Asian cuisine. Unfortunately, I did not like it. Here, the most common fruit is mango, but it is quite different from those I have tasted in Türkiye, with a very dominant smell and again I did not like it. Actually, the only thing I could eat without finding it strange was “chapati,” which is similar to our village bread. It is great when hot, so do not let it cool. Otherwise, it gets as tough as leather. 🙂
The two words I most associate with Karachi would be “humid” and “crowded.” It is one of the most crowded cities I have ever visited. It is not the nation’s capital but it is the most important commercial center of the country, like Istanbul.
Prices are very low compared to Türkiye. But I recommend you try to bargain as they will know you are a foreigner and raise their prices accordingly. It is a good idea to agree a deal on prices, especially before taking a taxi.
The main attractions are the mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, and Quaid-e-Azam museum, both located in the city center. Here you can learn about the history of the country and the separation of Pakistan from India.
You can head for Clifton Beach, which is very popular among the local people, and have a seaside tour on a camel. You will see people swimming with their clothes on, and others having picnics on the beach.
The Saddar neighborhood is an important center for shopping. In particular, you must explore Empress Market, which carries the British influence in its architecture. If you are able to carry goods, I recommend you look at the handwoven carpets. For women, buy a “shalwar kameez” for yourself and have a patterned henna applied at a hairdresser. If you have accessories you cannot use at home as they are too showy, use them here without hesitation. No matter what you do, you will still be plain compared to the ostentatiously dressed Pakistani women. 🙂
If you want to experience an utterly different culture, visit Karachi. I believe that it will change your point of view.
I wish you a better and more prosperous future, Pakistan.
