Karachi is the largest city of Pakistani with a population of over 18 million. It contains over 10 per cent of Pakistan’s population and over 22 per cent of its urban population. In addition, it contains 32 per cent of the country’s total industrial establishment, generates 15 per cent of the national GDP, 25 per cent of federal revenues and 62 per cent of income tax. It is the capital of Sindh an
d contains 30 per cent of the province’s population. Like all Asian mega cities, it is vibrant and full of life. Various groups from all over South-Asia have contributed in its development. In colonial times Gujrati speakers, Parsis, Makranis Goans, Kuchis, Memons, and various Hindu groups migrated Karachi, as it open new possibilities of trade and commerce and which creates jobs in a rapidly expanding and affluent city. After Partition, Urdu, Pushto, Hindko, Shina, Balti, Brushiski and Sairaiki speakers, among others were added to the original Sindhi and Balochi speaking populations of the city. As such, every language of Pakistan is spoken in Karachi in substantial numbers and every kind of food and cultural expression is present in the city. This makes Karachi one of the most diverse cities in the world. Today it is the fastest growing city. However, its modern transformation began with establishment of a small fortified trading post in 1729. As such, the city itself is relatively young but the region has a long rich cultural heritage. This exists in its archaeology which stretches back to the stone age. The funerary architecture of the area has its own unique style which emerged during the medieval period, giving the general built-environment of the city historical and architectural continuity. In addition, the metropolitan area of the city contains Sufi shrines dating back to the ninth century, ancient Hindu temples, Jewish graveyards, Christian churches of the colonial period and historic buildings and parks, along with the places associated with the struggle against colonialism and Pakistan’s post-independence history. It is to celebrate Karachi’s socio-cultural mosaic and the processes of its historic evolution that the Karachi Conference is being held. The Karachi Conference 2014 is in support of the I am Karachi campaign, which is a collective campaign of people & civil society of Karachi to reclaim a diverse, peaceful & vibrant city through pride, unity and resilience. For more details check: http://www.iamkarachi.org/
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