 The
commercial hub, the
most cosmopolitan,
and the most dynamic
urban centre of
Pakistan is the city
of Karachi. As the
largest city of
Pakistan, it
presents a
kaleidoscope of
ethnic groups of all
regions of Pakistan,
representing
different vernacular
languages and
cultural traditions.
As the most
industrialized city
of Pakistan, you
will find here an
exciting mix of old
and new—bustling old
bazaars and modern
shopping centers;
narrow winding
streets with
historic buildings
representing
stylistic variations
from
Domestic-Gothic,
Indo-Italianate to
Anglo-Mughal and
even Mughal-revival,
along with wide
boulevards and
contemporary
multistory
structures in
International style.
Its modern factories
produce state of the
art machine
products, at the
same time the
informal sector,
consisting of
traditional
crafts-persons,
produces handicrafts
of extraordinary
finesse and beauty.
This is the city
which offers a
remarkable variety
of sights and
activities: sandy,
sunny beaches,
deep-sea fishing and
yachting; a wide
variety of
Pakistani, East
Asian and Western
cuisine from the
most expensive and
sumptuous served at
international
standard restaurants
to the
best-value-for-money
local delicacies
found in food
bazaars and
road-side stalls;
rich cultural
offerings through
its unique eclectic
architecture facing
winding crowded
streets, and art
exhibitions of
acclaimed and new
artists held in the
many art galleries
of the city.
Shopping in Karachi
is one of the most
exciting
activities—if
undertaken as a
journey of
discovery—in its
quaint bazaars with
their old world
ambiance. You can
find hand-knotted
carpets or dhurries
of traditional and
innovative designs
and an extraordinary
range of
hand-crafted items.
From beautifully
executed hand-made
gold filigree work
to vintage
embroidery,
hand-block printing
to wonderfully
finished leather
goods made from the
best of Pakistani
leather in a variety
of subtle and
vibrant colors. Gift
items made from
unusual jade-green
onyx and
wood-streaked stone
as well as carved
wood items can be
found at
unbelievably low
prices.
Traditionally a city
of migrants, Karachi
draws people from
all parts of
Pakistan as does a
magnet and its work
force provides
offerings from many
different
regions—from all
provinces of
Pakistan,
Afghanistan and
Bangladesh etc. The
selection of local
and imported items,
machine made and
handcrafted,
available in Karachi
can hardly be
equaled elsewhere in
Pakistan.
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