Karachi, once the majestic jewel of the East that stood as a beacon of progress, trade, and culture, once a city where the grandeur of colonial-era architecture along with the vibrant and bustling spice markets, where the streets of Saddar and Burns Road echoed with stories of merchants, artists, and dreamers. How do I express the seafront, The Clifton with golden sunsets, and lively and crowded streets, and the historic Frere Hall, the Empress Market, and the Mohatta Palace stood tall as reminders of a glorious past.
Once the city of Lights, today, Karachi is a shadow of its former self—its beauty and charm buried under the weight of neglect by its duly elected, and relentless urban migration. The city, once designed to house a few hundred thousand, now houses over 20 million people, and the streets over congested, and its heritage crumbling.
The grandeur of colonial facades has been overtaken by encroachments, the garbage, and the decay, while historical landmarks, left to the mercy of time are vanishing one by one. The city of lights has dimmed, its elegance beaten down by unplanned expansion, political turmoil, and a sheer lack of care.
I wanted to share the remnants of my not-so-glorious past, a past that is etched into my memories and replayed in my mind to remind me of my youth. I visited Frere Hall, a structure that stood the test of time, a poignant reminder of the British Empire's legacy.
Frere Hall, has a rich history dating back to the British colonial era. It's Construction began in 1863 and was completed in the next 2 years. It was designated originally as Karachi's town hall but later renamed in honor of Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere, a British administrator known for promoting economic development in Sindh and making Sindhi the language of administration in the province.
After the British rule, the hall was converted into a library, now known as the Liaquat National Library, which houses over 70,000 books, including rare and handwritten manuscripts. The building has faced periodic closures due to security concerns but was permanently reopened in 2011.
From time to time it hosts art festivals and cultural events. I happened to attend one of the art festivals and here are some of the snapshots I managed to capture using an old phone camera.
