Living Lyari

While Lyari is famous for being one of the most underdeveloped and neglected areas of the city, it is home to thousands of boxing, football, cycling and donkey-cart race aficionados.

Boxing has always been a passion of Balochs having distinctive African features. If any boxing buff wants to get a taste of quality boxing, Lyari is the place to be. Of 16 clubs in Karachi, Lyari is home to 12 and is truly proud of producing an array of top-class pugilists in the past.

Boxing has its roots in Karachi well before partition. The city had three clubs – Lyari Labour Welfare Centre (LLWC), Young Afghan and Young Christian – during the British Raj. Only the latter was in Saddar, where mostly boxers from the Christian community would spar.

Founded by Ustad Mohammad Sattoo – known as the father of boxing in Karachi – the LLWC still exists, producing fine boxers, while the remaining are history. Sadly, Young Afghan Club has been transformed into a graveyard near Boulton Market. Hussain Shah, who won the first and so far the only Olympic boxing medal by clinching the bronze at the 1988 Seoul games, is also a product of Lyari’s Azad Baloch Club.

As for famous Malang Baloch and Siddiq alias Jourles, they also belonged to another Lyari club – Pakistan National – while Muslim Azad has the distinction of producing star athlete Mehrullah, who burst into the limelight winning the 2002 Busan Asian Games gold. He was, however, banned for life in 2006 by boxing officials for using drugs.

Albeit passion for the game is still there, Lyari youths are not as enthusiastic about their prospects as they were in the past, chiefly owing to sorry state of boxing affairs and indifferent attitude of the Pakistan Boxing Federation. The clubs never received financial assistance from the boxing bigwigs, while the Rs80,000 annual grant for Karachi clubs, which was initiated by the Sindh government in 1988, abruptly stopped in 1997 without any rhyme or reason.

Like boxing, football also has a special place in Lyari, which has produced legendary figures such as Captain Mohammad Omar, Moosa Ghazi, Abid Ghazi, Hussain Killer, Ali Nawaz Baloch and several others.

But football is indeed a decaying sport, although not dead. Pakistan once reigned supreme, at least at the Asian level, in the 1950s and ’60s. The golden era continued before a slump in the 1980s.

Departments like the defunct KMC (now CDGK), PWD, Sindh Government Press, which had the distinction of giving the country the best football players, are now dormant, with their teams existing only on paper. Paucity of funds also plagues the sport, which fascinates millions over the world.

Team players roam around Lyari to raise funds after floodlit Ramazan tournament matches, while area philanthropists also extend monetary help to the clubs to keep them running.

As for cycling and donkey-cart races, these are regular features of Sundays. Ali Baba, a Lyari resident, is believed to have initiated the donkey-cart races. The zealous Baloch cyclists and donkey cart races could be watched between Lyari and Clifton, while some enthusiastic cyclists could be seen racing as far as Sharea Faisal.

Baloch cyclists, though, seemed to be more disciplined. Overenthusiastic donkey-cart race ‘drivers’ at times become a nuisance for vehicular traffic with their wild runs on busy thoroughfares. But that’s Karachi!—Shazad Ali

Digging Defence

It seems the Defence Housing Authority is competing with the City District Government Karachi in digging up the city as it is frantically digging up parts of the Defence area.

Picking up a leaf from the CDGK, the DHA has also succumbed to the idea that flyovers and underpasses are the most fashionable things on Karachi roads and it should not be left far behind.

The entire Gizri area has been dug up and the area looks like a battle zone or as if a meteorite has struck from outer space creating a massive crater in centre of the area. Traffic and general public (pedestrians) have once again been reduced to secondary importance as progress comes first.

Mind you, I have nothing against progress and am all for it. But doesn’t progress come with planning? Or do these civic authorities believe that in order to save time and money, all projects must start at once.

The authority has also initiated 10 to 12 storm-water drain projects simultaneously, probably preparing well in advance before the rainy season, as it had to take a lot of flak last year when posh area residents were inundated with rainwater for days on end. I have read and seen movies about “Walking the Plank” and had never dreamt that I would be walking them one day as I am doing these days. The storm-water drain being built in Tauheed Commercial Area has crated havoc with excavators, cranes and general labour moving the ground underneath to dig the trenches which can only be crossed by walking across wooden planks placed in the centre of the road. Safety measures being almost naught, accidents are waiting to happen as I witnessed one motorcyclist slipping and his bike plummeting into the trench.

Anyway, the most surprising feature of these projects is that huge signs are put on barricades and construction sites saying “Work in progress” and “Sorry for inconvenience”. Inconvenience caused for two weeks or even a month or so is acceptable but all the year round is absolutely preposterous.—Syed Ali Anwer

Moving threats

What will you do if all of a sudden you find a bomb in your car? At least you won’t sit idle to let the bomb go off so easily unless you are a suicide bomber. With this preamble, I may mention that most cars on the city roads are carrying a great risk that involves the lives of all road users.

A decade ago when the compressed natural gas was introduced in the country as a cost-effective fuel for automobiles, we all rushed to get our cars converted to the environmentally-friendly fuel system. Over the years the city witnessed a mushroom growth of CNG vehicles and gas stations.

Experts say regular examination of cylinders is a must to avoid any mishap. But it seems procrastination is our national trait. In this case too, hardly any of us bothers to get the cylinder and gas kit properly examined on a regular basis. Our daring drivers and cagey car owners conveniently ignore their responsibility about such an inspection. Perhaps we, the Karachians, are accustomed to bomb threats or we prefer to learn through hard experience.—HA

The many shades of summer

Little green kerries (raw mangoes) start dotting the trees in the city, street vendors try to tempt you with ice cool limoo pani, the smell of motia fills your gardens. But among the many bounties of summer what makes a woman’s heart flutter with excitement is the sight of a colourful banner announcing one lawn sale or the other.

Come summer, all designers and wannabe designers try their luck with a new range of lawn prints every year. The city’s posh hotels play host to this summer extravaganza every year and women throng these exhibition halls and malls to be able to get their hands on the best prints before anyone else does.

The fashionable begums of Karachi – those aunties with immaculately manicured nails and designer bags on their shoulders -- young university-going girls, working women busy talking on their cellphones with one hand and browsing through fabric with the other and middle class housewives with children in tow behind them and sometimes even a bored looking husband, all push, pull, shout and sometimes even fight for that prized piece of fabric.

Those successful in getting what they wanted would emerge with a smile eligible to compete with a Cheshire cat and a bundle of fabric wrapped in transparent plastic. And the not-so-lucky ones would …. well, what do you expect? Kind words?

God every year decides to raise the mercury levels for the city and the poor Karachi-walas have to take respite in some way or the other. For women, these lawn prints are like clothes from heaven. For an average woman there’s always an option of off-the-counter type prints which can be bought for as cheap as you want them to be; for the hip fashion-conscious ladies there are these exhibitions. Not only that, but these exhibitions also bring in a huge amount of revenue for the hotels.

A gentleman at one such exhibition by a singer-turn-designer commented ruefully to his friend about this fetish of women: “is there anything which men go crazy after like this? Perhaps only cars.”—Tooba Asim

Compiled by Syed Hassan Ali

Email: karachian@dawn.com

Lyari’s issues

Sir,

Lyari Town is the oldest and most neglected area of this mega-city. It has always been the vote bank of the Pakistan People’s Party, since 1967. Despite the fact the party has remained in power in Lyari for the last 40 years, unfortunately, no significant development work has been undertaken here.

The area lacks sufficient potable water supply while the sanitation system – laid about 50 years ago – is absolutely rotten. Sewage is often seen gushing out from the choked gutters, making life for residents miserable.

Electrical installations are also very old. As such, frequent interruptions in power supply occur off and on for 12 to 14 hours daily.

Almost all the link roads are extensively damaged. Most of the main roads are in shambles, particularly Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai Road, which is a link road between Saddar and Keamari towns. Storm-water drains and other nullahs are not regularly cleaned. Pedestrian bridges on main Mauripur Road, where fatal accidents occur frequently, are unavailable for the safety and security of the poor working class people of the area.

The young, educated persons are frustrated because of the non-availability of suitable jobs, which is the main cause of growing criminal activities and other social evils. The law and order situation is the worst. Street crimes appear to be beyond control. Most of the revenue-earning markets and other business areas of Lyari have been transferred to the jurisdiction of Saddar Town, causing huge financial constraints to the town administration.

The PPP leadership is requested to work out a proper strategy for addressing the problems and grievances of Lyariites to bring it at par with other towns and also chalk out a policy for security and safety of the area by deploying the Rangers or army permanently.

MEMBERS OF MOHALLA COMMITTEE & RESIDENTS OF UC-5 BAGHDADI

Lyari

PTCL problems

Sir,

Like the KESC, the services of PTCL after privatization have become extremely poor.

My telephone no (450-5236) has been dead for over two weeks. I have made several complaints on ‘18’ and to the DE, Model Colony Exchange, twice, but all in vain.

On March 4, I went to the exchange concerned at 10.30am but could not meet the DE as he had not reached his office. I then met the SDO, who noted my complaint but gave no assurance due to the shortage of linemen.

Will the management take notice of the problems being faced by the subscribers?

MOHAMMAD YASIN

Karachi

Library in trouble

Sir,

Site Town had one library, the Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai Library, which was situated in Old Golimar right beside the town office. This library, however, was burned down by a mob during an attack on the town office on Aug 28 last year. The town administration then moved its office to another location, but apparently forgot to set up the library again.

The library was also a community centre where the youth organised social, cultural and literary activities frequently.

It was not only facilitating the residents of Old Golimar but also attracted people from the adjoining areas including Jehanabad, Pak Colony and several parts of Garden.

We appeal to City Nazim Mustafa Kamal to take notice of the closure of the Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai Library and issue directives to the town administration for the restoration of its past status instead of setting up offices in its premises.

M. SALEEM BALOCH

Karachi

Senior citizen’s plight

Sir,

I am a senior citizen and a severe cardiac patient. I recently shifted from North Nazimabad to Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Block 12. Since arrival I am facing problems and living in an unhygienic atmosphere. The main problems are:

(i) Trash and other dirty items are thrown near my house, which causes an awful stench.

(ii) Water accumulates in various big pits near my house, which may cause dengue or other viruses.

(iii) A sewerage pipeline is leaking and requires immediate repair.

(iv) After maghrib prayers, the area becomes pitch dark, while stray dogs chase the pedestrians. There are no streetlights, nor any electricity poles.

Arrangements should be made to erect electricity poles so that people can be protected from criminals. Recently, thieves snatched jewellery and a mobile from my daughter-in-law and son near my house due to the darkness.

I request the authorities concerned to please take immediate action to solve the aforementioned problems.

RAIS ZAIDI

Karachi

Need for an underpass

Sir,

Near Makki Masjid and the Anklesaria Nursing Home there is a four-way intersection at the junction of Randle Road and Garden Road. This intersection is very busy from both the traffic angle and pedestrian angle as the area is thickly populated.

With apartments, the nursing home and a hospital in the vicinity, crossing the roads for patients and other pedestrians is very difficult, especially during the evening.

If a pedestrian underpass is constructed like the subway near Regal Chowk, it will be greatly beneficial. One hopes the city nazim will consider it.

DR ZIA UL HASAN

Karachi

Late holiday announcement

Sir,

Regarding the letter titled ‘Late holiday announcement,’ we as parents must agree: why doesn’t the city government as well as the federal government announce holidays at the start of the calendar year or at the start of the educational term?

Before any occasion like the Urs of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai or Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain, rumours engulf the city whether the government has declared a holiday or not.

All the developed and even the least-developed countries announce holidays at the start of the new year.

HARIS ZAMIR

Gulshan-i-Iqbal

city@dawn.com

After a gallery, what about a theatre?

WORLD Theatre Day on March 27 went by without being marked in Islamabad, despite that theatre development in the capital city has been boosted recently with the staging of foreign and local plays by local and foreign theatre companies at the auditorium of the new National Art Gallery inaugurated in August last year.

More recently, film screening also started in the NAG auditorium, with the inaugural film ‘Jinnah’ screened on March 23, 25 and 26. There are reported plans to screen ‘Khuda Kay Liya’ later in April.

For a city which over the past decade has seen the demise of its two major cinemas, notably Nafdec Cinema and Melody Cinema, the inauguration of film screening by the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) marks a positive step in cinema culture development.

Other current and forthcoming theatre events in the NAG auditorium include ‘Dances and Music of the People of Pakistan’ from March 29 to 31, and a puppet show on April 6, with the auditorium now being referred to as PNCA Hall in newspaper advertisements.

But the auditorium or hall in NAG was meant solely for PNCA’s Visual Arts Division to hold seminars, lectures and debates on visual arts. Such activities are meant to compliment the preservation and exhibition of our visual art heritage in NAG’s 14 galleries, in which contemporary Pakistani art work is on permanent display besides revolving exhibitions and paintings for sale.

The big question is: can one sole auditorium at NAG serve efficiently to facilitate PNCA’s role, entrusted under the 1973 National Assembly Act which established it, of promoting both the visual and the performing arts through its Visual Arts Division and the Performing Arts Division respectively?

Doesn’t Islamabad lack a national theatre to showcase the performing arts, on the pattern and scale of the National Art Gallery, a showcase for the visual arts?

The idea of a national theatre goes as far back as the formation of PNCA in 1973 which was supposed to herald the establishment of a cultural square in the heart of Islamabad in the vicinity of the current Prime Minister’s Secretariat, comprising a national art gallery, a national theatre, a national library and a national museum.

Today three-and-a-half decades later, only the National Library stands where the cultural square was supposed to be, while the Prime Minister’s Secretariat has taken up the space originally allocated to NAG next to the National Library.

In 1996, over two decades after the establishment of PNCA, the foundation stone for NAG was finally laid at the site where it is presently located overlooking the Presidency but the project took over another decade to complete.

Meanwhile the National Museum, the design for which was approved in November last year, selected from a competition organised specially for the purpose, is being located in Shakarparian, which has been designated as the new cultural centre of Islamabad where other cultural complexes are located including the Folk Heritage Museum (Lok Virsa), the Museum of Natural History and the National Monument.

The National Theatre on the other hand is not even on the drawing board yet. Although a site next to NAG was initially allocated for it, this site has apparently been re-allotted to a five-star hotel while another site in Shakarparian has been designated for the national theatre.

How long more does Islamabad, infamously dubbed as a cultural desert in comparison to the richer cultural life in the older cities of Lahore and Karachi, have to wait for a national theatre to come up?

The need for such a national theatre was felt all the more when the twin-screen Nafdec Cinema closed down over four years ago.

PNCA had used Nafdec Cinema to facilitate its handling of bilateral cultural pacts in the sphere of visual and particularly, the performing arts. Performances by visiting cultural troupes as well as the screening of films from particular countries or regions in the form of special film festivals used to be held at Nafdec Cinema.

Nafdec Cinema was eventually closed down at the end of 2003 after years of neglect and mismanagement in the state- sponsored National Film Development Corporation, established in the 1970s to guide, finance and regulate Pakistan’s film industry and develop film as a medium of entertainment, education, information and social development.

At the same time however, it must be stated that not since the establishment of PNCA and Nafdec in the 1970s has Islamabad seen the kind of cultural development that has taken place over the past year or so.

This development included not only the completion and inauguration of NAG and the ground-breaking ceremony of a private state-of-the-art cineplex, a multiple-screen cinema house with shopping mall and food centre, but also the opening of several other private art galleries and the staging of foreign and local plays by local and foreign theatre companies at various auditoriums.

Moreover, plans also unfolded last year of a cine city under Islamabad’s revised master plan, this cine city being reported to include drive-in cinemas, training academies for arts and culture as well as film studios and theatres.

The materialisation of a national theatre, with multiple auditoriums and halls for the promotion of performing arts like music, dance, drama and cinema, ranging in nature from classical and semi-classical to folk and contemporary, will compliment this cultural development and help boost Islamabad’s cultural credentials.

A national theatre in a city where the diplomatic corps resides has long been necessary to help build better understanding of each other’s cultures by providing a befitting venue for the facilitation of exchanges in the sphere of cultural troupes, music and dance ensembles, theatre and cinema.

Islamabad may no longer be able to have the cultural square in the centre of the city that was initially envisaged in the 1970s. Nevertheless, will the culture ministry under the new federal government be able to craft a dynamic policy on culture that will not only give Islamabad a new dimension in cultural development but a national theatre as well?