KARACHI:
In his reply to the civic address presented to him by the Mayor of Karachi on August 25, 1947, the Quaid-e-Azam said, “For all freedom-loving people, Karachi will not only be symbol of special significance but will occupy a place in history for which there is no parallel, and I feel it my good fortune that I have the honour to be the first to receive this Civic Address.” The provincial government may perceive guidance from the noble vision of the Father of the Nation.
Karachi is no ordinary town. Nature has given it exceptional advantages that suit the modern needs and conditions. Moreover, Karachi has always hosted people from all parts of Pakistan who live together like true citizens and devote their energies to avail great opportunities that the city has to offer. It is because of this immense potential that one could say with confidence that Karachi can compete with the best cities from around the world.
Our Quaid was of the firm opinion that the expansion of Karachi should be horizontal instead of vertical. He was never a fan of “towering structures”. Today, the infrastructure available in the metropolis does not cater to contemporary social and environmental requirements. Perhaps there is a dire need to re-think that way that Karachi is structured. One can only hope that the authorities realise this and prove equal to the task.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2021.
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