Frere Hall

Frere Hall was completed back in 1865 and served as the town hall of the city. However, later it became an exhibition space and a library. Beautiful green gardens surround the Frere Hall because of which it became the main tourist attraction. The hall is located in Saddar district and is the home to different picturesque colonial architecture.

Karachi:

Karachi is one of the most populated cities in the world. It is also the philanthropic, educational, political and cultural hub of Pakistan. Besides, Karachi has the two largest seaports, the Port of Karachi and the Port Bin Qasim, used to handle 60% of the country’s cargo. Other than this, the city also has the busiest airport known as the Jinnah International Airport.

History:

The history of the city dates back to the Ancient Greeks. The region is said to be the site of Krokola, the place where Alexander the Great camped to set up the force for Babylonia. Other than this, in 711 CE Muhammad Bin Qasim also captured the Indus and Sindh Valley and is known to Debal and Arabs, as it was the place which Muhammad Bin Qasim used to launch his forces in South-Asia.

In 1729, Karachi was initially the community of Kolachi which was ruled by the Baloch Talpur Mirs of Sindh. The founders arrived from Karak Bandar due to harbours that had silted there because of heavy rains. Later, the settlement was reinforced. This is when the name Karachee was used initially in the Dutch documents. The city was then ruled by Talpur Mirs, after which the forces of John Keane occupied it in February 1839.

Geography:

The city situated on the coastline of Sindh, along the Arabian Sea, comprises of hills, rocky outcroppings and also the coastal marshlands. The west side of Karachi is the Cape Monze, known as the Ras Muari by locals of the city, consisting of sea cliffs, sandstones and some beaches. Other than this, there are two small ranges in the town as well – Khasa Hills and Mulri Hills. These hills lie in northwest of the city and play a role of a barrier between the Orangi Town and North Nazimabad.

Climate:

With an arid climate, long summers usually dominate Karachi that is generally moderated by the influence of the Arabian Sea. The city experiences high Monsoon Season during July and August. The summers are quite humid and hot. However, they cold breezes from the sea provide a bit of a relief. Karachi is also prone to extreme heat waves that can be fatal at times as well. Winters in Karachi are usually dry that begin in December and end in February. It is a bit dull but relatively pleasant to the summers.

People:

Karachi’s growth rate increased up to 3.49% back in 1981-1998 according to which most of the analysts predicted that the population of Karachi by 2017 would be 22-30 million. However, because of the weak economy, inadequate infrastructure and law and order situation, the majority of people avoided migrating to the city.

Moving on to the ethnicity, the majority of people are Balochi and Sindhi from the earliest settlements. However, many Hindus also migrated from India and settled in Karachi. Besides Hindus, Muslims from

India also migrated and settled in Karachi. Karachi has many non-Urdu speaking people. You’ll find numerous Gujrati, Marathi and Konaki speaking refugees. However, you’ll also find people who speak Urdu, Sindhi, Siraiki and Balochi.

Tourist spots:

Karachi is one of the places in Pakistan with the most tourist spots and attractions. There is a big list of different destinations, some of which are listed below.

Churna Island:

If you are a fan of sea and islands, then this is the place you’d never want to miss. Yes, I’m talking about the Churna Island, only two-hour away from the central Karachi. There are tons of different activities you can indulge in like swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, admiring the island’s beautiful reef and gazing at the multitude of fantastic sea creatures.

Mohatta Palace:

Mohatta Palace represents the art, culture, architecture and values of the city. A Hindu built it back in 1925 and is used as a museum and an art gallery now. As a tourist, you can enjoy numerous thought-provoking exhibitions that are held in the Mohatta Palace now and then. Moreover, the palace is surrounded by different trees and Renaissance-style statues. The overall palace exhibits the Rajasthani-style structure that shows the culture of the city.

Turtle Beach:

One of the most famous beaches, Turtle Beach, is primarily known for its turtle spotting. If you are a fan of wildlife and trying out something new, then this is the place you should visit. The Turtle Beach is a perfect place for spotting the turtles, especially during the mid-winters or when its mild cold because this is the time they usually come out to lay eggs in the sand.

Hotels:

Since we all know that Karachi is the hub of tourism, therefore, you’ll find a variety of hotels and guest houses to stay. The city has some of the best five-star hotels with exclusive services and luxurious rooms. Besides the five star hotels, you’ll also find 3-star hotels at reasonable prices. Moreover, the city has several guest houses in almost every area. These guest houses are perfectly suitable for people wanting to save some extra cash on the stay. Most of the guesthouses and hotels provide breakfast, lunch and dinner along with room services.

Restaurants:

Whether you are looking for fast food chains or desi Pakistani cuisines, you’ll find everything here. Karachi has some of the most exceptional hotels that offer an array of cuisines ranging from Asian, Middle Eastern, Chinese, Thai, Italian and Indian. Moreover, some of the world-famous diners locate in Karachi. There are numerous restaurants in Malls where you can try different kinds of food without roaming around much. Karachi is also quite famous for its street food. Biryani, Nihari, Gol Gappas, Haleem etc. are some of the most common and renowned street foods which you never want to miss.

Health and security:

Health:

You’ll find both private and government hospitals in Karachi that provide first aid services, emergency treatment and every kind of health care service. All the hospital has proficient and highly-skilled staff that deals with the issues professionally. Ambulance service in Karachi is exceptional as well. By calling 1122, you can take assistance and first aid services from the trained ambulance staff. The ambulance usually arrives in 10-15 minutes, making medical services convenient for you. Moreover, hospitals deal with almost every kind of medical health issue. Whether you are looking for a dentist, gynaecologist, cardiologist, oncologist or general physician, you can easily find highly-skilled practitioners in hospitals in Karachi.

Security:

You can avail immediate ambulance services by dialling 1122 in case of emergencies. Most of the ambulance.

Medical Stores:

You’ll find hundreds of medical stores almost everywhere in Karachi. There is a wide variety of health care products and drugs in Karachi medical stores. Ranging from pain killers to antibiotics and allopathic medicines, you can easily purchase a wide variety of medications from medical stores and pharmacies. You can also buy medication like painkillers without any prescription. Trained pharmacists appointed assure that you receive the right dosage. So, in case of an emergency, you’ll find several pharmacies in Karachi easily.

Security:

Police stations:

Police are appointed for the safety and security of tourists and locals, with police stations all over the city. No matter where you are, you can always call the nearest police station for safety. Whether you are in Clifton or Ferozabad, you can easily find a police station if you seem in trouble.

Shopping:

Karachi is known for its shopping centres, plazas and malls. You can shop at some of the most famous malls for brands or visit the local stores to get the speciality of Karachi. Karachi is also known to have some of the cheapest stuff in Pakistan. Whether you are looking for stitched or unstitched dresses, crockery or decorations, shoes or accessories, electronics or gadgets, you can easily find almost everything in the local market as well as the malls in Karachi.

Transport:

Taxi, bus, Careem, Uber and rickshaw services are available for tourists as well as the locals.

Important phone numbers:

Significant phone numbers of Karachi;

Ferozabad Police Station: (021) 34223637

Landhi Fire Station: (021) 35015888

Pakistan Post Karachi City GPO: (021) 99217251