Sultanabad, Karachi

Settlement in Karachi

Unplanned settlement in Karachi West

24°50′N 67°01′E / 24.84°N 67.02°E / 24.84; 67.02DistrictKarachi WestCityKarachiCountryPakistanTime zoneUTC+5 (PST)

Sultanabad (Urdu: سلطان آباد) is a multiethnic katchi abadi, or informal settlement, located in central Karachi, Pakistan.^[1]

The majority of its residents are from the Pashtun community,^[2] with many migrating to the area during the military operations in the tribal areas in the 2010s.^[3] Other ethnic groups, including Hindkowans, Sindhis, and Saraiki people, also reside here. Sultanabad is situated near Karachi's industrial, economic, and business hubs, and in proximity to the Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) and prominent hotels like the Pearl Continental Hotel and Mövenpick. Additionally, the renowned Habib Public School is located nearby.

Sultanabad is also home to the New Haji Camp, the centralised location for gathering Hajj pilgrims, previously dispersed across Karachi-areas like Lyari, Old Haji Camp, and near Karachi Cantonment railway station. In 1959, General Muhammad Ayub Khan, then President of Pakistan, laid its foundation stone near M.T. Khan Road. The camp, covering 3.5 acres of built-up space and over 11 acres of open area, was completed in 1966. Today, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony oversees the welfare and facilitation of pilgrims preparing for their journey.^[4]

Sultanabad, located adjacent to the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, frequently faces security concerns, which have resulted in the demolition of residential houses in the area.^[5]

References

^ Kaldor, Mary; Sassen, Saskia (31 March 2020). Cities at War: Global Insecurity and Urban Resistance. Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-54613-3.
^ Khattak, Sohail (27 April 2013). "Karachi NA-239: In this constituency by the sea, there is hardly a drop of water to drink". tribune.com.pk. The Express Tribune. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
^ The Herald. Pakistan Herald Publications. 2012.
^ "Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony". www.mora.gov.pk. Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
^ Ali, Imtiaz (23 June 2022). "Authorities demolishing upper portions of houses near US Consulate in Karachi". dawn.com. Dawn. Retrieved 14 September 2024.