Karachi, the capital of the Sind province, was Pakistan's capital until it was replaced by Rawalpindi in 1959. The hub of a sprawling metropolitan area, Karachi is the Pakistan`s largest city and its chief transportation, financial, commercial and manufacturing center. It is a bustling center of commerce and industry with a major port on the Arabian Sea and an International Airport which is a major link on all east and west air routes. Most of the international trade of Pakistan and Afghanistan pass through the city`s busy modern port, centered on the island of Keamari.
Karachi's recorded history goes back to the 18th century when it was a small fishing village known as Karachi-jo-Goth. With the development of its harbour it gradually grew into a large city and an important centre of trade and industry. Its selection as capital of Pakistan in 1947 added to its importance and tremendously boosted the rate of its growth and development. Although the seat of Government has now been shifted to Islamabad, Karachi still remains the epicentre of commerce and industry.
Karachi is the largest industrial center of Pakistan. Industrial land use occupy about 75 sq.kms area which is about 4.16 per centof the total city area. Industries are located in 12 scattered areas. Most of them were originally developed in the suburbs and at the outskirtsof the city, but with the growth of city some of them are surroundedby residential areas. Industrial activity started in Karachi in the British Period. A few smallindustries were established at Nishter Road. Dalmiacement industry was established in 1924 in the suburb.Industrial activity took momentum alter the creation of Pakistan.
Adjacent to Karachi Port at the West Warf an industrial area was established in 1947 known as Karachi Port Trust Industrial Area. The location of port and proximity to the city center was considered important incentives to attract investors in this area where infrastructure like roads, railways, electricity etc were available. Offices of traders, shipping companies and Government offices were located near to the industrial area. The area was also accessible to the industrial workers. As a result the industrialarea was soon occupied by large and medium size industries. In 1948 Sindh Industrial and Trading Estate (SITE) was established which is now the largest industrial estate of Karachi.
In 1958 under Greater Karachi Resettlement Schemes (GKRS) Government planned to develop industrial areas at Landhi and Korangito provide employment to the newly developed satellite towns. The progress remained very slow in early years. Infrastructure problem, Hoodof Malir River and nationalization policy of Government (1973-1977) were the causes of slow growth. The Government policy of denationalization and privatization in 1980s, completion of Malir River Embankment Project in 1987 and improvement in infrastructure ccelerated industrial development in the Korangi and I.nndhi Industrial Areas.The small industrial areas of Mansoora (Federal.B Area) and North Karachi were developed in 1960s and 1970s as part of residential schemes located along the Layari River. In 1980s Government established three new industrial areas, Karachi Export Processing Zone, Bin Qasim Industrial Area and Super Highway Industrial Estate at the periphery of the city. Industries of all major categories are located in the city. Textile is the most dominant. Other important industries are food processing, tannery and leather goods, chemical and pharmaceutical, auto industries, shipyard, oil refineries, metal industries and printing.
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