Clifton کلفٹن | ڪلفٽن | |
|---|---|
Locality | |
    | |
| Coordinates: 24°49′N67°02′E / 24.817°N 67.033°E | |
| Country |  Pakistan |
| Province | Sindh |
| City | Karachi |
Clifton is an upscale and historic seaside locality in Karachi, Pakistan. [1] It is one of the most affluent parts of the city, home to some of Karachi's most expensive real estates. [2] It is home to several foreign consulates, while its commercial centres are amongst the most high-end in Pakistan, with a strong presence of international brands.
The area around Clifton was a largely barren seashore until British rule, and was previously known to locals as "Hawa Bandar," [3] or "Wind Port." Prior to the establishment of the area as a suburb of Karachi, Clifton's shoreline had been home to a shrine of 8th century Abdullah Shah Ghazi - widely regarded as the city's patron saint. [4] The shrine is immediately adjacent to the historic Sri Ratneswar Mahadev Hindu Temple. [5]
Clifton was initially developed in the late 19th century under British colonial rule, and initially served as the location for homes belonging to the city's British elite as an escape from the city. In the early 20th century, Parsis from nearby Iran began moving to the area, and were soon followed by Muslims and Hindus. [2] The Jehangir Kothari Parade, bestowed to the city by Parsi businessman Seth Jehangir Hormusji Kothari, was built in Clifton in 1919–20. [2] The Mohatta Palace was built in Clifton in 1927 by a wealthy Hindu businessman, and now serves as a museum. Clifton Bridge was built in the 1930s to connect the suburb to central Karachi. By the 1950s, camel owners began offering rides to local tourists on the beach. The area remained a residential area characterized by bungalows until the 1970s, when the area began to develop as one of Karachi's prime commercial and retail centres. [2]
In 1973, Clifton's famous Three Sword monument was erected as part of a beautification programme launched by Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, and was built in the shape of his political parties election symbol at the time. [6] Despite a breakdown of law and order in Karachi in the 1980s and 1990s, Clifton was one of the localities in Karachi where real estate activity remained strong. [7]
The government of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto planned a casino in the area near the Clifton Beach in a bid to attract foreign tourists to Pakistan in the 70s. However, the idea was abandoned soon because of political issues and the structure lay empty for many decades until it was taken over by a local amusement parks company, who opened a themed entertainment center named "Sindbad" on it. This was also closed down in the early 2000s and after another bout of vacancy, the place was finally torn down and the Dolmen Mall was erected in its place. This mall is now one of Pakistan's premier shopping malls, housing local and many foreign brands like Debenham's. [8] [9]
The areas also houses the former residence of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and the current residence of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari & Asif Ali Zardari. Bilawal House, which is now the current residence of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has been surrounded with controversy since the erection of a protective wall around the house, with many local politicians asking authorities to pull it down. [10]
In 2018, a group of Islamic extremists attacked the Chinese embassy here. The extremists were killed but unfortunately two police officers were also killed. [11]
Clifton is emerging as another Central Business District of Karachi along with Saddar Town the main Central Business District of Karachi. Today it headquarters the corporate office of Pakistan's largest energy company, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) [12] as well several other large local and foreign companies such as Nestle Pakistan Limited, [13] Dolmen Group [14] and Muller and Phipps [15] among other corporate and regional offices. It also houses the headquarters of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan. [16]
Increased business activity and real estate construction boom has resulted in Clifton altering the city skyline, [17] with the two tallest buildings in Pakistan, the Bahria Icon Tower and the Ocean Towers located in Clifton.
The Karachi Eat Food Festival, which is Pakistan's biggest food festival, is held every year in Clifton. The festival started off back in 2016 and it has now become Pakistan's major culinary and restaurant event with 95+ stalls and major brand engagement. Many new restaurateurs and aspiring chefs try out their locally and internationally inspired dishes at the event. The event has been a major hit with young people with the event witnessing massive crowds on all three days of this festival. The KEF is organized in the early part of January each year. [18]
Clifton itself is recognised as a fast food BBQ destination within Karachi which attracts locals as well as tourists who enjoy shopping walking on the seashore and dining in these restaurants which serve quality Halal foods on demand.
There are also several international consulates and high commission offices based in Clifton such as British Deputy High Commission, [19] The Chinese consulate, [20] The Italian Consulate, [21] The Russian Consulate [22] The Iranian Consulate, [23] Consulate General of Switzerland [24] as well as the Kuwaiti consulate [25] among others.
Fatima Bhutto is a Pakistani writer and columnist. Born in Kabul, she is the daughter of politician Murtaza Bhutto, sister of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Jr, niece of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and granddaughter of former Prime Minister and President of Pakistan, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. She was raised in Syria and Karachi, and received her bachelor's degree from Barnard College, followed by a master's degree from the SOAS University of London.
Ghulam Murtaza Bhutto was a Pakistani politician and leader of al-Zulfiqar, a Pakistani left-wing militant organization. The son of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, he earned a bachelor's degree from Harvard University and a master's degree from the University of Oxford. Murtaza founded al-Zulfiqar after his father was overthrown and executed in 1979 by the military regime of General Zia-ul-Haq. In 1981, he claimed responsibility for the murder of conservative politician Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi, and the hijacking of a Pakistan International Airlines airplane from Karachi, during which a hostage was killed. In exile in Afghanistan, Murtaza was sentenced to death in absentia by a military tribunal.
The Defence Housing Authority (DHA), Karachi, formerly Pakistan Defence Officers Cooperative Housing Society, is a residential neighbourhood or a housing society located within Clifton Cantonment of Karachi. Clifton Cantonment total population including Defence Housing Authority is 305,938 per 2017 Census of Pakistan.
Clifton Beach, also known as Sea View, is a beach in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan and is located on the Arabian Sea. It stretches from Karachi to Ormara (Balochistan). The beach is very popular in Pakistan. It is open 24/7 for the general public.
Bagh Ibne Qasim is a 130-acre (53 ha) beachside park in Karachi, Pakistan.
Sir Jehangir Hormasji Kothari,, was a Parsi businessman, merchant and a prominent philanthropist from Karachi during British colonial rule. Today, he is best remembered for the Jehangir Kothari Parade, an elevated sandstone walkway used to walk to Clifton Beach on the Arabian Sea.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is a Pakistani politician who served as the 37th Minister of Foreign Affairs, in office from 27 April 2022 to 10 August 2023. He became the chairman of Pakistan People's Party in 2007, following his mother's assassination. Bilawal belongs to the Bhutto family, a prominent political family of Pakistan and is the son of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and former President Asif Ali Zardari, and the grandson of former President Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. When questioned about nepotism and dynastic politics in Pakistan in an interview with CNN, Bilawal famously stated "I didn't chose this life, it chose me". Bilawal had been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan from 13 August 2018 till 10 August 2023.
Sindh is a province in Pakistan.
Jehangir Kothari Parade is a promenade built on land donated by Seth Jehangir Hormusji Kothari to the city of Karachi in 1919.
Bahria Icon Tower is a recently on-hold skyscraper complex in the seaside municipality of Clifton in Karachi, Pakistan. The complex includes a 62-storey tower, which at 300 metres (980 ft), is the tallest building in Pakistan and among the tallest buildings in South Asia. The complex also includes an adjacent 42-storey building and is owned by the Bahria Town Group.
The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Karachi, Pakistan.
Nawab Nabi Bux Khan Bhutto was the Pakistani lawyer and political leader who was the member of legislative assembly before Partition of India from unknown date to 14 August 1947. He was also the brother of Shah Nawaz Bhutto, who later became father of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. He is also famous for being father of Mumtaz Bhutto and grandfather of Ameer Bux Bhutto.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Jr., is a Pakistani visual artist, performance artist and curator as well as a human rights activist. He is a member of the prominent political Bhutto family, and is the grandson of former President and Prime Minister of Pakistan, and his namesake, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. He is younger brother of Fatima Bhutto and he is related to Benazir Bhutto and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari through his father's side. He has lived and worked in Karachi, Pakistan and San Francisco, California.
Dolmen City is a mixed-use complex, situated on the waterfront of Clifton, in Karachi, Pakistan. It is made up of four towers: Tower A, Tower B, Harbour Front, and Executive Tower. At the base of the complex is the Dolmen Mall, a three-level shopping mall built in 2011 with an area of 600,000 sq ft (56,000 m2), and 130 stores - including several international brands. The total area of the entire Dolmen City complex is 3,441,340 sq ft (319,711 m2).
Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple is a historic underground Hindu temple in Karachi, Pakistan. It is located near the Clifton Beach in Clifton. The temple is famous for its annual Shivratri celebration, and during religious celebrations, around 25,000 pilgrims visit the temple.
Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari is a Pakistani public figure and educationist. She is the chairperson of SZABIST. She is the daughter of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and former President Asif Ali Zardari, sister of former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and granddaughter of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, making her a member of the politically prominent Bhutto family of Pakistan. She is also a trustee of SZABIST Foundation, and Sindh Peoples Welfare Trust.
The other site is the over 1,200-year-old tomb of Ghazi Abdullah Shah, a descendant of Imam Hasan. He has become the patron saint of Karachi and his urs is an important event for the city and its inhabitants.
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