If you recall almost a year back in April, I made a post titled Saahil Bachao…SAVE Karachi’s Beaches talking about the threat of commercialization of Karachi’s beaches, well it seems that the threat has subsided as the company vying for the project then has ‘run away’ leaving the Sindh Planning and Development department dwindling up yet another Request for Proposal (RFP) to be published soon in a number of leading newspapers around the world

The beach front project is supposed to cover some 21,000 acres of land and could have run a hefty tag of over $500 Billion, while the initial costs and reserve guarantee will be $130-$150 Billion at the time of awarding of the contract. Considering that a big Dubai developer has abondeed this project it wont be surprisingly to see this new RFP also fall flat on its face unless the Sindh Government woo in a few investors to bid on this project, seemingly a tough call, but for now we can almost say… The beaches are safe for now….

Unique Pakistan … the project was standstill since August 13, 2007 by the authorities concerned, when they got Expression of Interests (EoIs) from investors and developers of international repute for development of waterfront on the western coastline of Karachi centered around Hawksbay.

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Karachi’s minibuses form the backbone of public transport system in the city. They are already famous around the world. Adnan has drawn some interesting extended parallels between their structure and characteristics and that of Web 2.0 on his blog.

Pakistan Paindabad featured an interview with Amin Gulgee, the celebrated metal sculptor from Karachi while he visited Delhi recently.

Amin attributes Karachi with ‘energy’ more than once while appreciating the history Lahore correctly boasts about. In somewhat debatable words, he says:

Which city is classier - Karachi or Lahore?

There is no comparison. Lahore has old monuments. In Karachi, the only antique things are its British monuments. In fact, we encourage every friend from abroad landing in Karachi to visit Lahore. The beauty really lies there. But I can’t survive without Karachi. I need its energy. Lahore, all said and done, is just another Punjabi city.

For a good many days a heated discussion has been in progress talking about the sale of the Karachi beach front to a Dubai based real estate developer. The entire Clifton Bay beach is to be developed and then linked to Manora Island by a bridge. This real estate development will continue along Sandspit and Hawkes bay where the Sugar City is to be constructed.

The Manora Island is then said to also house a five star hotel and this island will later be linked to Keamari with a bridge and the development is to continue along the coast up to the DHA golf club. On a causal look it appears to be a great initiative but what surprises everyone (including me) is that the concept seems to have been visualized and conceived in Dubai and is being pushed down the throat of the citizens of Karachi without any due thought process by its residents. Have a look at the presentation made by the developers to the ‘all knowing’ owners of our city, they seem to have it all thought out and planned without even the courtesy to even bring it into discussion to the local populace which will be directly affected by this development, it undoubtedly will impact ‘the future generation’ as this as conceived by the developers will most definitely outlive the very people who think ‘this should be the future of Karachi’.
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Not many in the local Karachi government let alone the common man here, I imagine, would be fully aware of what a great controversy the global warming phenomena has caused at the world stage in more developed countries. The Wikepedia page on Global Warming Controversy has all the details but the short summary, I suppose is, that there is wide spread difference of opinion on the possible causes and effects of the recent rise in our planet’s temperature, with some people believing human factors have a definite involvement, while others, the so-called environmental skeptics, including some scientists themselves, argue that the former concerns are exaggerated.

Regardless of which side of that debate you are on, I’m sure you will, like every Karachiite like to see a greener, cleaner and healthier Karachi. Unfortunately though, such is the nature and impact of environment related issues, that any moves to improve things, or even suggestions to improve things, invariably acquire the state of a political debate. Take for instance, the recent ban imposed by the Sindh provincial government on plastic bags below 30 micron weight, which Umar wrote about yesterday as well.
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According to this news report, Emaar, the largest real estate development firm in the gulf, will develop 2 of Karachis neighbouring islands, Bundal and Buddo at a total cost od USD 43 billion.

Emaar will hold 85% stakes to the project, while the remaining 15% will be held by the Port Qasim Authority in exchange for the real estate.

The project will take approximately 13 years to complete and will have housing, educational facilities, hospitals, malls and office complexes.

Question: With the extreme upsurge in the supply of “luxury housing”, is it not possible that Karachi may be faced with higher supply than the demand for such projects? Currently, according to some sources, Dubai is facing the same.

According to the paper today, the Ministry for Ports and Shipping has just signed MOUs with Dubai World and Emaar Properties for the development of Karachis shore lines from Manora to Cape Monze.

As part of the development plans, the KPT and all Military establishments will vacate the land and hand it over to the the companies for development. The development, so to speak, will comprise of establishing high rise hotels and apartment buildings in the areas.

Core question now is…how do the ordinary karachiites enjoy the only somewhat sane beach left??

Aside from all the bridge building and road breaking in progress, here is Karachis latest corporate landmark that joins the line of many who we know by name.

This thing is located at the Regent Plaza turning towards Jinnah Hospitan. NICVD etc etc.

This is my advice to all of you residing in the city of Karachi for the next couple of days. Because its that time of year again, when they need to fill out their chalan books before the years closing.

This morning, while driving to work, i saw police-walas stopping atleast 5 different vehicles for almost trivial charges (e.g. changing lane without giving indicators etc) on shahrah-e-faisal. Ever since i’ve became a victim to this zelousness of “Karachis Finest(?)” i’ve been noticing a pattern as to when it occurs. To date, i’ve identified about three times of the year when they become ‘efficient’, one being just before the financial years closing (June 30th), then New Years (December 30th) and lastly near Eid-ul-Fitr (this when most ppl get off just paying Eidi rather than their challans).

Do you have any good stories about being ‘challaned’ by our traffic cops? I’ll share mine later in the comments section.

After an anonymous user suggestion regarding a terror threat on Karachis beaches, i spoke to a few friends who visit the beach much more frequently that I do, and what was revealed was interesting.

While taking a trip towards Hawkes Bay or Paradise Point (or even cape Monze) most vehicles are now searched for some unknown terror threat.

I say most because I went there yesterday and they didnt search our car. I guess going with your family counts here. While we were beckoned by the police to keep moving, there were atleast 3 cars lined up for the police to search.

Aside from the missile test on saturday (which took place at Karachi) does anyone have any input on this latest issue?