Karachi Landmarks – The War Cemetery

Overwhelmingly green. An oasis in otherwise barren busy neighborhood. Offers surreal emptiness but only few are attracted. One or two gardeners are found raking fallen leaves here. It is on crowded Dalmia road but a step past the monument into the graveyard brings you to a totally different landscape, instantly, as if you have traveled through a wormhole into a far-flung galaxy.

Karachi war cemetery was created to receive graves from British cantonments scattered throughout Pakistani part of British India. It also contains graves from first world war period of soldiers who died in non operational zones. If you are heading to the airport on Shahrah e Faisal then turn left on Karsaz and take right from national stadium roundabout and head to Dalmia. After couple of minutes ride you will find the cemetery and monument on the right side. Take a U turn and park it right in front of the entrancIe. Chances are that there wont be any cars. People have been very busy lately to notice and park their cars in front of the landmark. Feel free to go in there. The cemetery has been put up and maintained for people to visit and celebrate the spirit of deceased. Gardeners will probably come to greet you. They are not used to seeing people hovering around. They are wary of journalists for some reason.

The Karachi Walla sat there soaking in the rain watching the world go by. The cars went past the landmark without bothering. The creative toil to make both ends meet did not make sense while sitting in the Karachi War Cemetery. All of it appeared to be child’s play.