Pakistan, March 2022

Karachi

Karachi is the financial hub and largest city of Pakistan with a population of 14.9 million people. Located on the Arabian Sea, it is home to the country’s two largest seaports. It is Pakistan’s most cosmopolitan city and is diverse linguistically, ethnically, and religiously.

Wednesday, 2nd March 2022

Tony outside the main entrance to the Mohatta Palace. The palace was built in 1927, as the summer home of Shivratan Mohatta, a wealthy Hindu businessman. He was only able to enjoy the building for about two decades before the partition of India, after which he left Karachi for the new state of India. The palace was then acquired by the Government of Pakistan and later turned into a museum. The building is styled in the tradition of the stone palaces found in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The exterior is a mixture of pink Jodhpur stone and the local yellow stone from nearby Gizri. The design includes several domes on the roof and many intricate details around the façades.
Tony outside the main entrance to the Mohatta Palace. The palace was built in 1927, as the summer home of Shivratan Mohatta, a wealthy Hindu businessman. He was only able to enjoy the building for about two decades before the partition of India, after which he left Karachi for the new state of India. The palace was then acquired by the Government of Pakistan and later turned into a museum. The building is styled in the tradition of the stone palaces found in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The exterior is a mixture of pink Jodhpur stone and the local yellow stone from nearby Gizri. The design includes several domes on the roof and many intricate details around the façades.
View showing an octagonal corner tower at the Mohatta Palace. These corner towers are topped with cupolas and have balconies immediately beneath. Alongside are oriel windows, which project out from the building, and are supported by stone brackets. The individual windows are arched at the top and are covered by wooden shutters.
View showing an octagonal corner tower at the Mohatta Palace. These corner towers are topped with cupolas and have balconies immediately beneath. Alongside are oriel windows, which project out from the building, and are supported by stone brackets. The individual windows are arched at the top and are covered by wooden shutters.
Another view of the front façade of the Mohatta Palace. Steps lead up to three large wooden doors forming the main entrance with horseshoe arches above. The arches are filled with glazed panels.
Another view of the front façade of the Mohatta Palace. Steps lead up to three large wooden doors forming the main entrance with horseshoe arches above. The arches are filled with glazed panels.
Tony in the formal garden outside the Mohatta Palace. There are rectangular lawns and flower beds separated by paths. The garden is surrounded by stone walls decorated in the same style as the palace itself.
Tony in the formal garden outside the Mohatta Palace. There are rectangular lawns and flower beds separated by paths. The garden is surrounded by stone walls decorated in the same style as the palace itself.
Tony in front of a group of fountains in the Mohatta Palace grounds. The fountains emerge from gaps between stone slabs that form a quatrefoil shape (a symmetrical shape created from four circles). A stone obelisk can also be seen at the end of a path behind.
Tony in front of a group of fountains in the Mohatta Palace grounds. The fountains emerge from gaps between stone slabs that form a quatrefoil shape (a symmetrical shape created from four circles). A stone obelisk can also be seen at the end of a path behind.
Tony standing immediately in front of the Mohatta Palace. Decoration can be seen on the wall behind including curved geometric patterns and floral motifs. Above are windows covered by shutters and decorative cornicing overhanging at first floor level.
Tony standing immediately in front of the Mohatta Palace. Decoration can be seen on the wall behind including curved geometric patterns and floral motifs. Above are windows covered by shutters and decorative cornicing overhanging at first floor level.
A view along one of the side façades of the Mohatta Palace including the base of another octagonal tower. Tony in the foreground.
A view along one of the side façades of the Mohatta Palace including the base of another octagonal tower. Tony in the foreground.
Tony outside the Frere Hall which was built by the British as a town hall in 1865. It is located in central Karachi's colonial-era Saddar town in the Civil Lines neighbourhood. Today the building is used as an exhibition space and library. Architecturally the design resembles a church and is Venetian-Gothic in style incorporating elements of Islamic architecture. Behind Tony a Gothic-arched opening leads into a porch. The blocks making-up the arch are striped in alternating grey and white stone.
Tony outside the Frere Hall which was built by the British as a town hall in 1865. It is located in central Karachi’s colonial-era Saddar town in the Civil Lines neighbourhood. Today the building is used as an exhibition space and library. Architecturally the design resembles a church and is Venetian-Gothic in style incorporating elements of Islamic architecture. Behind Tony a Gothic-arched opening leads into a porch. The blocks making-up the arch are striped in alternating grey and white stone.
Looking up at part of the Frere Hall's façade. A stone balcony accessed from a semi-circular arched doorway can be seen. There are Gothic-arched windows at either side and smaller round windows above. All the arches here are decorated with red and white stone in a stripped pattern.
Looking up at part of the Frere Hall’s façade. A stone balcony accessed from a semi-circular arched doorway can be seen. There are Gothic-arched windows at either side and smaller round windows above. All the arches here are decorated with red and white stone in a stripped pattern.
Tony standing on a wooden staircase inside the Frere Hall.
Tony standing on a wooden staircase inside the Frere Hall.
Tony again outside the Frere Hall. More tall narrow Gothic-arched windows can be seen.
Tony again outside the Frere Hall. More tall narrow Gothic-arched windows can be seen.
Tony sitting in the drivers' seat of a car parked outside the Frere Hall. The Frere Hall is surrounded by a public park, which can be seen through the car window.
Tony sitting in the drivers’ seat of a car parked outside the Frere Hall. The Frere Hall is surrounded by a public park, which can be seen through the car window.
Outside the front iron gates of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This Roman Catholic cathedral is located near Empress Market in the historic Saddar district. It was completed in 1881 and is Gothic revival in style. The cathedral was closed when Tony visited but the front façade can be seen in the distance including a pair of spire-topped bell towers.
Outside the front iron gates of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This Roman Catholic cathedral is located near Empress Market in the historic Saddar district. It was completed in 1881 and is Gothic revival in style. The cathedral was closed when Tony visited but the front façade can be seen in the distance including a pair of spire-topped bell towers.
Tony outside the St. Patrick’s Cathedral gates. The cathedral itself is mostly obscured by a large white marble monument to Christ the King which stands in front. This monument was built from 1927 to 1931. Steps lead up to a platform with Christ standing high on a central pedestal.
Tony outside the St. Patrick’s Cathedral gates. The cathedral itself is mostly obscured by a large white marble monument to Christ the King which stands in front. This monument was built from 1927 to 1931. Steps lead up to a platform with Christ standing high on a central pedestal.
A closer view of the central part of the Christ the King monument showing Christ on a pedestal with his arms outstretched. A pair of angels stand on smaller pedestals beneath. The tallest part of the monument is a stone obelisk that rises behind the statue of Christ the King.
A closer view of the central part of the Christ the King monument showing Christ on a pedestal with his arms outstretched. A pair of angels stand on smaller pedestals beneath. The tallest part of the monument is a stone obelisk that rises behind the statue of Christ the King.
Tony outside the Empress Market. This large building was constructed between 1884 and 1889 and was named to commemorate Queen Victoria who was Empress of India. Today the market is one of the most popular shopping locations in Karachi with a wide variety of goods sold, including fruit, vegetables, meat, textiles and pets.
Tony outside the Empress Market. This large building was constructed between 1884 and 1889 and was named to commemorate Queen Victoria who was Empress of India. Today the market is one of the most popular shopping locations in Karachi with a wide variety of goods sold, including fruit, vegetables, meat, textiles and pets.
View of the Empress Market's prominent central clock tower.
View of the Empress Market’s prominent central clock tower.
A corner of the Empress Market building. The single storey building is square in shape with a large courtyard in the middle. The surrounding area is covered by grass. Previously this outer area was filled with over 1,000 unofficial stalls, but these were cleared around 2018 in an "anti-encroachment" drive, causing up to 4,000 stallholders to lose their livelihoods.
A corner of the Empress Market building. The single storey building is square in shape with a large courtyard in the middle. The surrounding area is covered by grass. Previously this outer area was filled with over 1,000 unofficial stalls, but these were cleared around 2018 in an “anti-encroachment” drive, causing up to 4,000 stallholders to lose their livelihoods.
Close-up of Tony standing outside the Empress Market.
Close-up of Tony standing outside the Empress Market.
Another view outside the Empress Market showing the main entrance at the foot of the clock tower.
Another view outside the Empress Market showing the main entrance at the foot of the clock tower.
Sacks full of different types of nuts at Empress Market.
Sacks full of different types of nuts at Empress Market.
Tony in front of railings at the perimeter of the Empress Market site. Behind is a road jammed full with people, scooters, auto rickshaws and cars.
Tony in front of railings at the perimeter of the Empress Market site. Behind is a road jammed full with people, scooters, auto rickshaws and cars.
People sitting under the shade of palm trees planted inside the Empress Market's perimeter walls. The green dome and minaret of a mosque are visible ahead.
People sitting under the shade of palm trees planted inside the Empress Market’s perimeter walls. The green dome and minaret of a mosque are visible ahead.
A colourfully painted bus passing by on the road outside the Empress Market.
A colourfully painted bus passing by on the road outside the Empress Market.
The Mazar-E-Quaid, also known as Jinnah Mausoleum, seen from a distance. This large domed building is the final resting place of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. It was designed in a 1960s modernist style and was completed in 1971. It is 43 metres (141 feet) in height and is clad in white marble.
The Mazar-E-Quaid, also known as Jinnah Mausoleum, seen from a distance. This large domed building is the final resting place of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. It was designed in a 1960s modernist style and was completed in 1971. It is 43 metres (141 feet) in height and is clad in white marble.
A fishing boat passing close to the shore. The open-topped boat is crowded with around 12 crew as well as nets, crates and other equipment.
A fishing boat passing close to the shore. The open-topped boat is crowded with around 12 crew as well as nets, crates and other equipment.
Tony in the foreground with a view of the fishing boat passing by below.
Tony in the foreground with a view of the fishing boat passing by below.
Looking along the coastline in Karachi. The view is built-up and industrial. Tony is standing in the foreground with some scooters and motorcycles parked alongside. The sun is low in the sky and reflecting on the camera lens.
Looking along the coastline in Karachi. The view is built-up and industrial. Tony is standing in the foreground with some scooters and motorcycles parked alongside. The sun is low in the sky and reflecting on the camera lens.
Looking in the opposite direction along the sea front. There appears to be a wall or sand bank in the distance forming a harbour. The Arabian Sea beyond.
Looking in the opposite direction along the sea front. There appears to be a wall or sand bank in the distance forming a harbour. The Arabian Sea beyond.
Another small fishing boat passing near by with a few birds flying above.
Another small fishing boat passing near by with a few birds flying above.