The Karachi Walla

Had Ghalib found himself in present day Karachi, he probably would have taken refuge in Bedil Library. At a walking distance from Char Minar Chowrangi,the library on second floor of Sharafabad Community hall transports you to a different era when people had different priorities and sensitivities. The library is named after Abdul Qadir Bedil, Persian […]

The building looks like it was built sometime in 70s. The recent renovation makes it difficult to make an educated guess. The contractors trusted with renovations in the city have started giving the same treatment to every building. Shinning tiles, gaudy false ceilings and misfit fixtures are a common theme that you find across the […]

The Progressive Girl Council Reading Room can only accommodate 15 or so people. The bookshelves are installed higher on the wall to make more room for people. There is an arch in middle for no reason. There is a loud speaker and an amplifier lying in one corner. There are empty plates in another. The […]

Karachi’s lost tradition of Reading rooms. You can perhaps count remaining few in Karachi on fingertips. However Mir Muhammad Baloch Progressive Academy reading room is one vibrant community space in the heart of Marwari Lines. I find Ali Akbar, caretaker and librarian basking in winter sun outside the small reading room. He takes pride in […]

Karachi’s lost tradition of Reading rooms. You can perhaps count remaining few in Karachi on fingertips. Therefore I could not believe my luck when I accidentally discovered one such forgotten reading room in an obscure location in Lyari. I find myself in Lyari and ask my friends if there are any libraries. In their teens […]