KARACHI, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 4th Sep, 2026) A seminar titled “Karachi Ki Kahani” was organized by the Rotaract Club of Karachi Game Changers at the Dr. Riaz islam Audio-Visual Center, Department of History, University of Karachi.
Federal Banking Ombudsman and renowned banker Sirajuddin Aziz was the keynote speaker, addressed to students, faculty members and guests on the economic history, development and changing character of Karachi.
Sirajuddin Aziz traced Karachi’s journey from a small coastal settlement of Baloch fishermen to one of the region’s most important port and commercial cities.
He explained that during the era of the British East India Company, Karachi was developed as a port city. Its early population included Hindus, Parsis and, later, Goan Christians.
Following the creation of Pakistan, people from different parts of India and Pakistan settled in Karachi and played an important role in the city’s economic development.
He emphasized that Karachi’s early economic growth was largely driven by Pakistani capital, vision and hard work rather than foreign funding.
He noted that Pakistan’s business community, popularly associated with the “22 families,” came from different parts of the country but invested heavily in Karachi, helping transform it into an industrial and commercial hub.
“Karachi developed as a cosmopolitan city from the very beginning,” Aziz said. “Its importance as a port gave it strategic significance from day one, while the opening of the Suez Canal route further strengthened its position as an important international port city.”
Aziz recalled that Karachi Airport was once a major international aviation hub, with 46 international airlines operating from the city.
Refuelling, transit and other aviation-related activities generated significant economic activity and revenue for Karachi, while also connecting the city with international tourism and global commerce.
Discussing the relationship between the economy and culture, Aziz observed that the two have a deep and lasting influence on each other.
He particularly highlighted the historical role of Karachi’s educational institutions. The University of Karachi, he said, once attracted students from across the Muslim world, particularly from Arab countries.
Many international students lived in university hostels, studied modern disciplines and even learned urdu during their stay.
He recalled Karachi’s earlier urban culture, describing evening walks around Bandar Road as having an atmosphere comparable to the streets of Hong Kong.
The city’s major roads were regularly washed and maintained, while its social and cultural environment reflected the character of a genuinely international city.
Aziz noted that religious intolerance, extremism and violent social attitudes were not dominant features of Karachi’s public culture during that period. The city’s diverse population, social interaction and cultural openness contributed to its cosmopolitan identity.
He also highlighted Karachi’s unique demographic pattern. In many parts of the world, people travel to major cities for employment and eventually return to their hometowns. Karachi, however, has historically attracted people who not only come for employment but also settle permanently in the city.
According to Aziz, this continuous population growth has contributed to an imbalance between population and available resources, creating serious urban challenges.
He further observed that political instability and law-and-order problems gave Dubai an opportunity to emerge as a major economic hub in the region, affecting Karachi’s economic prospects.
He also stated that the nationalization of industries created uncertainty among investors regarding the security of their investments.
Sirajuddin Aziz stressed that Pakistan’s most important investment must ultimately be in its people.
He emphasized the importance of education, professional training and character-building, while highlighting the fundamental role of parents, families and local communities in developing capable and responsible citizens.
He also advised students to remain cautious about cryptocurrency trading and to fully understand the risks involved before making financial decisions.
Concluding his address, Aziz said that Pakistan possesses enormous human potential and that the country’s geographical and strategic importance can never be eliminated.
At the conclusion of the seminar, Dr Moez Khan, Head of the Department of History, University of Karachi, delivered the vote of thanks.
In his concluding remarks, he highlighted the importance of economics in understanding history and emphasized the need for critical thinking, ethical values and sound judgment among young people.
The seminar provided students and participants with an opportunity to explore Karachi not merely as a city, but as an economic, cultural and strategic centre whose history remains deeply connected with the broader story of Pakistan’s development.
