In Karachi, fear is always your faithful companion
It ruthlessly taught us how to live with uncertainty and still walk tall. PHOTO: REUTERS
We are the sons of Karachi. We grew up knowing danger like knowing how to ride a bicycle – memories that refuse to wear down with time. We have lived our lives with fear as a close companion. We boast the epitome of valour.
One too many a time, for one too many of us, it has taken away more than it can give back – notwithstanding, we love Karachi.
Uncertainty has taken a firm hold on our hearts – and it taught us how to live despite that. We heard bullets and hid under the table when we were kids. Then we lay sleepless in bed when our sons took longer than usual to come back home.
It ruthlessly taught us how to live with uncertainty and still walk tall. It taught us how to laugh at our own losses – it made us stronger than we ever will be. We bear scars that are testament to how relentless we have become. We are the sons of Karachi.
We know what the value of life is because we have lost one too many. We have faced a gun, and if we haven’t, it has taught us to be prepared to face one. We know we live around people who have lived worse.
But in all its glory Karachi taught us how to dream – dream big. We all dream the same. We dream of days when we will walk the roads without watching our backs. We dream of the clear skies – free of doubt and helplessness. We dream of a Karachi that we can truly love. We dream our kids will not live in this fear. We are sons of Karachi, we love Karachi.
But the truth is we hate that we love Karachi.
Read more by Musab here.
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of The Express Tribune.
Oh Memon bhai, we are not stupid anymore. Whomsoever from among us could leave Karachi, has left already, many of us a very long time ago, when we could see the city and country going down the toilet. Only the badbakht remain there. Good luck with all your glorification of a failed city and dramatization of a desperate culture in that pathetic city called Karachi.Recommend
Karachi…. we love youRecommend
Just waiting for a good opportunity, and off I go.Recommend
We love Karachi, once the city of peace and glory. Wish Karachi get back its lost glory. The heart of Sindh is bleeding. It is under tyranny. Wish it gets free soon. And we get back lost glory of Karachi which is peace, tolerance and brotherhood. We miss you oh the heart of Sindh, Karachi.Recommend
This cheesy BS is so redundant. I just wasted 2 minutes of my life.Recommend
This blog belongs to the poetic licence category. and the editors blog belongs here.. Whats goin’ on ET…!Recommend
To take a stand……or to run. Its a very personal decision.
Each considers the other as either weak or stupid, but at the end of the day it is ‘ who ‘ you really are deep down that decides…………….Recommend
when a minority in punjab is forced to leave home, they turn to karachi ..when shias are foced to leave there homes they turn to karachi ,when idp’s of swat had no home karachi gave shelter…its a strange city which is cursed by every other pakistani but in return it only gives them hope …maybe its the people who are pathetic
if some part of a country is going down would you not help it or just keep cursing it…help karachi out of its misery because its very much part of pakistanRecommend
@v3509utgjwe4ur
Let we guess you are not Sindhi.Recommend
I don’t hate to love karachi, i love to love karachi.Recommend
there is no dought that karachi law and order situation deteriorating and worse but we should not forget that this city proved so many people dream to come true.Recommend
@lulldapull:
Your negative thinking is what brings down the nation worse than the crimes perpetrated. Stop criticizing the author’s work and go do something to help Karachi.
People like you need to get up, rather than sit and crib.Recommend
@naive Citizen
Oh bhai, you’d be the first in que to get outta Karachi if given the chance……like its going outta style.
Also, having lived & worked in Karachi in 2009/10 I can attest to this fact that living over there is like running a gauntlet with your life.
It’s a war zone now……like Beirut was in the 80′s.
I don’t believe you have lived or worked in Karachi. You’re an expat……aren’t you?Recommend
Very well written. Flows beautifully. But I agree with Fahad Raja that this piece was more suited to the Poetic License section.Recommend
Beautifully put. Sad and true.Recommend
i admire the spirit and the confidence of the writer…Recommend
@lulldapull:
I’m not saying that Karachi isn’t a dangerous city. I’m attesting to the fact that you’re bringing the author down, who is trying to be positive, and show his commitment to his city. Being positive and showing patriotism to your city does much more to aid the situation than bringing people down. The author’s intention wasn’t to glorify a failed city, it was to show that his support to the city hasn’t changed.
It’s amusing how quickly you jump to conclusions and purport stereotypes. Do I need to be an expat to show commitment to a city, and support to an author doing so too?Recommend
People who are waiting, are stupid, because such kind government cannot solve such issues.
Everyone know what is the reason of such incidents, but no one can speak.
Till when we are silent, we will force to bear to see the dead bodies of our loved ones.
Hope all of you understand.Recommend
@lulldapull:
it’s only for cowards that they have left their country in such hands. If you can’t stand up against the terrorism atleast don’t call those courageous ones backhome “badbakht” they are atleast fortunate enough to walk on their homeground unlike us! Karachi is no doubt a wonderful city and if it’s youth does stand up there’s no one on Earth that can beat them!!!!Recommend
I find that Punjabis are better educated and forward thinking than Sindhis.So naturally Lahore ( the capital of undivided Punjab ) is more sophisticated ( and safe ) than Karachi or Multan.Recommend
Another subject of one’s perception. I like this ‘The Way I See It’ section. I wonder if Express Tribune allows submissions.Recommend