The forces of globalisation are indiscriminate – they enable those who pursue good and those who pursue evil. The changes brought about by globalisation affect all segments of society, all walks of life, all political parties, all religions, all ethnic groups, and all countries. Sometimes they occur in the most unexpected ways and yield complex results that appear to be mystifying and intractable, at least on the surface.

This book describes how the forces of globalisation have descended upon Karachi and exacerbated local and regional problems to the point where the city is teetering on the brink of chaos. Karachi is geographically, politically, and culturally situated in the context of modern Pakistan, but is a global city affected by global forces, many of which challenge the state’s power and authority. The lessons of Karachi are important for both its present and its future, and they can serve as a cautionary tale for other global cities.

Karachi is vitally important to Pakistan. While Islamabad is the country’s capital, Karachi is the most important financial centre in the country. It is the centre of banking, industry, economic activity and trade. Many of Pakistan’s largest corporations are based in Karachi, including entertainment, arts, fashion, medical research, the automotive industry, shipping, textiles, advertising, publishing, and software development. Karachi is also home to Pakistan’s main seaport and two of the largest ports in the region, the Port of Karachi and Port Bin Qasim.