Unusual bus-iness: Saving Karachi’s history from under the bus

The Super Savari Express and its young tour guides celebrate the city’s long history.

KARACHI:

Like every other big city, Karachi is steeped in its own unique history with its buildings colonial and structures majestic. And every Sunday, at 8am in the morning with the city half asleep, the Super Savari Express sets off to tour the city, visiting Karachi’s various heritage sites.

The people, or at least the punctual ones, start arriving at around 7:30am, but the two official tour guides — young, enthusiastic and bustling with energy — are there from even before that.

Maha and Jahanzeb. PHOTO: MAHA KAYANI/JAHANZEB SALIM

The first, Maha Kayani, is a 19-year-old A’ Levels student who is training to join the army, and the second, 20-year-old Jahanzeb Salim, is on a gap year after having completed his A’ Levels; the two driving forces behind the Super Savari Express. And as the bus plies through the streets of Karachi in the city’s typically unforgiving heat, these two shout tirelessly into their loudspeakers.



“I have always been interested in the history and heritage of Pakistan,” said Jahanzeb while speaking to The Express Tribune. “When I took my first tour on the bus, I thought this would be a brilliant opportunity for me to hop on board and help the owners with their vision.”

PHOTO: MAHA KAYANI/JAHANZEB SALIM

The work of these two youngsters is not lost on those who have booked the tour. “It’s really inspiring to see a bunch of young kids handle a crowd of 40 people so confidently. I would never be able to do that,” said 23-year-old Rabiah Ahmad, one of the passengers on the bus.

Before Maha and Jahanzeb were officially appointed as the tour guides of the Super Savari Express, they were provided rigorous training by history enthusiast, Marvi Mazhar. “We attended a ‘Youth Outreach’ programme that lasted about two or three sessions and educated us about the various historic and cultural sites in the city,” said Maha. “Marvi told us it was not going to be a typical history class’”

The key to their success seems to be teamwork. “I’m usually the one who is yelling and providing information about the heritage sites, while Jahanzeb is coordinating with everyone and ensuring that they stick together,” said Maha. “However, when I fall sick, Jahanzeb does all the talking, while I perform his role.”

For her part in the tour and her natural maternal instincts, Maha has been given a few monikers — some more flattering than others, with ‘Fauji Maha’, ‘Mother Maha’ and ‘Bus Conductor’ being some of them.

 PHOTO: MAHA KAYANI/JAHANZEB SALIM

However, the two tour guides would not swap their jobs for any other. They love the diversity of people who book their tours — old and young, native and foreigners. “One of the biggest highlights for us was when a Russian guy sat on top of the bus and insisted on getting a selfie with a traffic light. It was hilarious. We loved his energy,” said Maha.

Jahanzeb recalled the time a group of people plugged their phones into a rickshaw’s aux cable, blasted their music and danced in the middle of the road. For him, it was his best memory from the tour.

PHOTO: MAHA KAYANI/ JAHANZEB SALIM

“The young come to learn, the old to reminisce,” added Jahanzeb.

With education their first priority, the two have to juggle between work and studies. “Atif, the co-owner, has been very flexible when it comes to office timings, he is very understanding,” said Maha.

Along with Atif, the other co-founder, Dr Bilal, has also played a major role in inspiring these youngsters.

“Bilal is a ‘Karachi ka keera’. He inspires us every day to learn more and more about our city,” added Maha.

While certain future plans may be in store for the two, they are, for now, fully committed to the tour and spreading their love for Karachi.

Maha Kayani and Jahanzeb Salim. PHOTO: MAHA KAYANI/JAHANZEB SALIM

The Super Savari Express has now expanded to perhaps the city most seeped in history, Lahore, and the duo want to help them with their expansion to other cities as well.

And while the city’s problems show no signs of abating, these two proud citizens continue to remind its people of its long history and illustrious past — a city worth saving.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27^th, 2015.