Karachi Vs Lahore – Which One is Better? This is a question people ask all the time.
Karachi and Lahore are the two most famous cities in Pakistan. Both are known for their rich culture and amazing hospitality. Karachi is popular for being an economic hub, whereas Lahore is popular for its amazing heritage and beautiful architectural buildings. Both the cities have their own importance and are unique in their own way.
Let’s have a look at the basic factors of both Karachi and Lahore.
Karachi
Source: Dawn
Karachi, the city of lights, is the 8th most popular city in the world. There are several reasons for being most popular. Its history, its culture, fashion, trade, entertainment and investment are some factors that contribute towards it. The city is super busy in comparison to any other city in Pakistan.
If you plan to go somewhere, you will have to leave an hour before, because Karachi has always witnessed immense traffic. While travelling in Karachi, you will notice that the city is full of energy, warmth and enthusiasm. Residents of Karachi are diverse in cultures, ethnicities and religions. All these aspects add to the diversity, versatility and uniqueness of the city of lights – Karachi.
City Size and Population of Karachi
The metropolitan city has a population of more than 23 million and a population density of almost over 24,000 people per square kilometre. Which makes it clear that Karachi is denser than any other city of the urban population in Pakistan. This is why Karachi is the largest city in Pakistan.
Demographics of Karachi
It is believed that almost 90% of the population in Karachi are migrants from various backgrounds. For a large number of Gujarati Muslims, Karachi has historically been a home. Communities of Gujarati Muslims include Chhipa, Memon, Khoja, Ghanchi and Tai.
Many non-muslims left Karachi for India after the 1950s. Therefore some small communities of Parsis, Anglo-Indians and Goan Catholics are still present in Karachi. Muhajirs in Karachi are large in number i.e is almost 50% of the population, which include Gujarati, Rajasthani and Malabari Muslims.
After Muhajirs, the second largest group in Karachi are the Pashtuns, 25%, who hail from Balochistan and Afghanistan.
Growth in Karachi’s Population
At the rate of around 5% per year, Karachi is growing. Almost 45,000 migrant workers come to Karachi from all over Pakistan every month. It is expected that rapid growth in the population of Karachi will make it the seventh-largest city in the world by 2030.
Weather of Karachi
Summers in Karachi are very hot, arid, windy and oppressive, whereas winters are short, dry and more comfortable than summers. The temperature in Karachi varies from 55 F to 94F. It is above 100F and below 49F.
Transport of Karachi
For shorter routes, people of Karachi use rickshaws or taxis, and for longer routes, they prefer transportation through buses, which is far cheaper than any other mode of transport.
Places to visit in Karachi
Here is a list of some of the most famous places to visit in Karachi.
The Beach
Going to the beach has never been a regret! We always enjoy ourselves and spend hours and hours at the beach without realizing the time. Karachi is famous for its beautiful beaches. Tourists from Pakistan always make sure to pay a visit to the beach during their stay in Karachi. Sea view beach is the closest to the city, and no matter whatever the time is, it has always been crowded.
Winter Land
For the people of Karachi, winter land is a huge bliss! Because of the hot weather in Karachi, people don’t get to experience rain and winds for a long time. Winter land is a place to experience when you feel like having some fun by getting some winter vibes. The place offers several fun activities, such as bumper cars and slides.
Mohatta Palace
To experience Indo Saracenic architecture, Mohatta Palace is the place to visit in Karachi. In 1927, it was built as the home of Shivratan Mohatta. It is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 6pm. The palace contains a secret passage, a 1km path underground and leads to a Hindu temple. In this palace, you will also find various displays of British culture from the subcontinent.
Frere Hall
To experience Karachi’s British colonial history, Frere hall is a Venetian gothic building that one must visit. Frere Hall is Karachi’s most iconic place, with a beautiful mural painted by one of Pakistan’s most revered artists Sadequain Naqqash.
Empress Market
Named after Queen Victoria, the Empress market has been in operation for years. From groceries, spices, seafood to some fun activities in Karachi, the empress market has been a popular place. It is one of the busiest places in Karachi for shopping.
Food culture in Karachi
Karachi is famous for its food. Here is a list of restaurants in Karachi that are known for their delicious cuisine.
- Behari tikka at Meerath Kabab House
- Dum Biryani from Gol Market, Nazimabad
- Fish by Yadgar
- Katakat and Brain Masala from Noorani at Do Darya
- Beef fry kabab at Burns Road by Waheed
- Javed Nihari (dastagir, F.B.Area
- Nihari by Ghaffar Kabab House
- Afghani Boti at Al-Asif
- Afghani Pulao by Al-harmain
- Peshawari chapli kabab by A-one(Shah Faisal)
- Balochi tikka from Madina 2, Superhighway
- Karahi by anwar baloch (Malir)
- Kali Mirch Chargha by Cafe Laziz
- Hunter beef burger from Hanifa
- Super bun kabab at Pakistan Chowk
- Cheeseburger by Khan Broast, Near Waterpump
Universities in Karachi
With a literacy rate of 65.26%, Karachi has some of the best universities in Pakistan. There are almost more than 50 colleges and universities that are located in the capital of Sindh. The categories of colleges and universities include science, arts and commerce.
Top universities in Karachi include:
- The Jinnah University for Women, located in Karachi, is the pioneer university for women in Pakistan
- The University of Karachi is the largest in Pakistan with the biggest faculty.
- NED University of Engineering and Technology is Pakistan’s oldest engineering institute located in Karachi.
- The National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, NUCES-FAST, is recognized as one of the top universities in Pakistan. It has two branches in Karachi.
Lahore
Let’s find out about Lahore now.
A lot of travellers in Pakistan start their adventure from Lahore, The heart of Pakistan. The city is known for its vibrant, hospitable and joyful atmosphere. But, we cannot forget Lahore’s scrumptious food, which you cannot find in any other city in Pakistan. Lahore has been of great importance when it comes to geography and culture. There are a lot of fun places in Lahore that you and your family can visit.
Colonial and Mughal dynasty eras can be witnessed all over the city with several beautiful historical architecture buildings. Because of Lahore’s fantastic taste, Lahore is also known as the food capital. Several places can be visited in Lahore to experience the beautiful architecture of the walled city. Rich in history and tradition, Lahore has experienced three eras: Mughal, British and modern.
City Size and Population
With the boundaries of 1772 kilometres, the current population of the city is 7 million. In the past 14 years, the city has expanded due to its growing population. Because of this, it remains the 42nd most populated city in the world. The population density of the city is nearly 63000 residents per square kilometre.
Population Growth in Lahore
With a population above 11million, experts thought that Lahore would become a central megacity by 2025, but it already has become. With an increase in Lahore’s population, it is expected to become the largest populated city by 2050, with almost 42.46 million people.
Weather of Lahore
With an average high of 102F and a low of 83F, the hottest month in Lahore is June. Winters in Lahore last for almost 2.5 to 3 months, with an average low of 47F and a high of 66F.
Transport of Lahore
Modes of transport used in Lahore comprise bus services, rickshaws, taxis and metro services. Two major providers of bus services are Lahore Transport Company and Punjab Mass transit Authority.
Places to visit in Lahore
Here is list of places to visit in Lahore.
Badshahi Mosque
Located in Lahore, constructed by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, Badshahi Mosque is the largest mosque of the Mughal era. It is one of Pakistan’s most iconic sights that people all over the country love to visit. It is known as the crown jewel of Lahore with a large courtyard that can comprise almost 10,000 people.
Fort Road Food Street
Fort road food street has some of the best restaurants in Lahore. The food street has beautiful and colourful buildings with rooftop restaurants for citizens to enjoy the view. There are both desi and continental restaurants with amazing food quality.
Delhi Gate Market
The old city of Lahore had almost 13 gates to it. When the British conquered the region all of these were destroyed. However, 6 out of 13 were rebuilt, and Delhi gate is one of them. The entrance leads to a busy market filled with lots of happening and life. It’s a great place to visit if you want to have a look at the local life of Lahore.
Anarkali Bazaar
Anarkali bazaar is divided into two, the old and new. While on your visit to Anarkali bazaar you will get to find a lot of traditional foods, clothes, jewellery and handicrafts. Walk-in Anarkali bazaar has always been an interesting thing to do for the people; even if you don’t want to buy anything, a walk at Anarkali bazaar is also enough to enjoy the locality.
Shalimar garden
Visiting a Shalimar garden is one of the most relaxing things that the people of Lahore tend to do. It is a great option if you want to spend time with your family. There is a beautiful fountain with colourful flowers to create a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for the visitors.
Universities in Lahore
With a literacy rate of 64%, Lahore is considered to be a primary education hub of Pakistan with some top universities. Almost 40 licensed universities offer degrees in business, science, humanities and engineering.
The University of Punjab, Government College University, and Forman Christian college are Pakistan’s oldest universities. The recently-established University of Lahore is a private university and offers programs in medical sciences, health sciences, biology and engineering.
Conclusion
Both Lahore and Karachi are unique in their own way. The cities are of great importance to Pakistan. Lahore, because of its historical architecture, and Karachi, because its vastness. In this blog, Graana.com has listed down the stand-out features of both cities.
Which one is your favourite? Let us know in the comment section below!
