Phoenix Rising - Karachi on the road to recovery

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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Re: Phoenix Rising - Karachi on the road to recovery

One cannot argue with personal experiences, but they should not be generalized. If UP (Mohajirs) had problems then who didnt? These are generalizations, there are good and bad eperiences in all ethnic nationalities. When Mohajirs migrated to Pakistan, it was the Sindhis who welcomed them with open arms. As for the hindu homes, well it was based on reciprocity basis as convened by the Govt and it was applicable to both sides of the border.

I can vouch for the eighties, KU was packed with students from Frontier, Baluchistan, Punjab, Fata, interior Sindh, Baltistan, Palestine, Iraq, Indonesia, Iran and other Arab countries. Hostels were clearly demarcated btw Punjab, Sindh, Frontier and international students. Elections in hostels were conducted on the basis of ethnicity (Punjabi versus the rest) and the same chaps would come to the campus and become Jamaatis or leftists.

KU had its political parties and its share of Baluch, Pakhtun, Jeeay sindh and Punjabi students association, this was early eighties, there was no Mqm, then, Karachiittes were either leftist or rightists, they had no ethnic identity or party to defend their rights.

Reading your arguments on Karachi clearly show a lack of historical perspective, too much reliance on what your great uncle said or did and less on what the ground reality is.

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Re: Phoenix Rising - Karachi on the road to recovery

**Dubai’s Limitless all set to build new Karachi
**
Dubai World has revealed that its integrated international real estate developer company — Limitless — will spearhead the multi-billion dollar Karachi Waterfront development project comprising residential, commercial, recreational and entertainment facilities. Sources told Khaleej Times yesterday that the mega project will develop 25,000 hectare of prime waterfront property in southern port city of Karachi. “Phase-1 of the project in commercial hub of Pakistan will involve an investment of $20 billion over the next ten years. It will develop more than 2,000 hectare of prime waterfront property in the city,” the sources said adding that subsequent phases of the project are expected to involve much larger investments. They further said that several other projects are also in the pipeline in Dubai and elsewhere, and will be announced shortly. The announcement for Karachi Waterfront project was made during the recent visit of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to Pakistan. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed by Pakistani Minister of State for Privatisation and Investment, Umar Ahmed Ghuman and Dubai World Chairman Sultan bin Sulayem in Islamabad.

Revealing the details of the project, Chairman Dubai World Sultan bin Sulayem said: “We are delighted to lead the development of the Karachi Waterfront project. This is a major project, involving phased development of the 25,000 hectare site in the port city of Pakistan.” “It will be a new Karachi,” Bin Sulayem maintained. “Limitless’ focus on creating balanced developments for large urban communities will, we believe, ensure that the development meets the economic and social needs of the government and the people of Pakistan,” he added. The CEO of Limitless, Saeed Ahmed Saeed, said the master plan of the project is being finalised and it could cater the needs of people. “At present, the exact elements of the master plan are being finalised considering the overall needs of the people and the best approach to develop a self-sustaining community,” Saeed added. “The business of creating balanced developments is a challenging one. It is a relatively new science, which requires a great deal of research, flexibility and a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure that the balance sought is not only achievable but sustainable,” Saeed observed. “In the coming months we hope to be able to reveal more details on other projects — but only when we are confident that we have found the best solution to address the needs of each community,” Saeed added.

Karachi Waterfront will evolve as Limitless prepares the master plan in line with local and government needs. According to an official, the project will contain a defined and carefully weighted balance of residential, commercial, recreational and entertainment facilities. “The new city will also be home to Special Economic Zones, creating a hub for trading, manufacturing and services industry. All components of the development will be supported by a world-class infrastructure and amenities,” the official said. The waterfront development project is part of the Government of Pakistan’s initiative to attract investment and visitors to Pakistan. It is the first international mega project announced by Limitless since the company was officially launched in April, 2006. Limitless can lay claim to three specific areas of expertise that provide the company with a competitive advantage internationally — master planning large urban communities, waterfront development and the implementation of large balanced projects. Initial equity capital for Limitless is provided by Dubai World, but the company plans to tap the debt markets and look at strategic investors to finance its early growth and new projects.

http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=1093115615

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Re: Phoenix Rising - Karachi on the road to recovery

Great articles.

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Re: Phoenix Rising - Karachi on the road to recovery

Isn't there a conflict of interest between the Dubai investors and a possible Karachi boom? Don't both these two cities compete for the same set of investors?