Towards the end of April my husband and I, we got invited to participate in a TedX event in Karachi. Because we both are big fans of TED, we gladly accepted the invitation and were very excited to go. On the day of the event we found out that later the same day there will be a family get together at our house, but we excused ourselves saying that we have a very important place to go to.
For the first time before leaving I saw my husband consulting a map to make sure that he knows the way. Now in all fairness, I've to ask why, oh why did the organizers chose that venue. The event was taking place in Korangi, the industrial area of Karachi. At first I was happy I was getting to see some new part of the city. Later on I was just wishing to get home and I felt miserable for my thoughts and self-generated insecurity.
On our way to Korangi we passed through an area full of auto parts shops and mechanics stores and I got to see a lot of colorful trucks parked to get their things done. This is one of the things I love and hate about Karachi: for anything you need, there is a go-to market concentrating about 90% of the activities from particular field. For example if you need paper, there is the paper market, if you need plastic things, there is a plastic market and so on. The good thing is that you always know where to go. The bad thing - sometimes you have to drive long distance to get a small thing. Thank God though for superstores which are now almost everywhere and save the day.
After leaving behind the crowded and noisy area with auto shops, we moved closer towards the industrial Karachi. As we got near, unexpectedly big plants started to pop up. My image of Pakistan was more of a highly agricultural country and I never expected to see such big plants there. From spices to medicine and biscuits everything was produced there. I think the plants have the capacity of employing over 1 million people. At first I said, wow, how huge! But then I remembered that Karachi only has over 15 million living souls.
I was overwhelmed by the traffic and by the fact that we were getting late to the event. We got caught in traffic and turned right a little sooner than we were supposed to. After driving for what seemed to be less than 100 meters, the scenery changed abruptly and I had the feeling that we somehow got carried away in another time and place. What I was seeing around me did not look like 21st century, but more likely like a place where time and progress stood still for few good (tens) years.
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