Review: Jumbo Karachi Guide

By Prof Dr Nasim Fatima

Jumbo. Karachi Guide: ed. by Abdul Qadir Qureshi, Karachi: Jumbo Informedia, 2011. ISBN: 978-969-9688-00-3. 146 p. Rs. 600.

The Jumbo Group has promoted the cause of information access of readers on different fields of life specially on sports, fine art, books, reading etc. They have been doing a splendid job by producing the information of new publications on internet through the blog of Jumbo Publishing.

They have published the first edition of Jumbo Karachi Guide, which is compiled, edited and printed beautifully, in 2011. It provides almost all the subject fields on the mega city Karachi.

The publication in hand is first standard guide which provides brief information about, Important Telephone numbers, Postal area codes, Geography, Demography in facts column. Chronology of important events form 1843-2011, a brief introduction of Karachi includes banking, ports, factories, sightseeing, shopping, crafts, gifts, educational institutions, cultural organizations, clubs, councils, sports and beaches.

Under the headings of “Modern Karachi” the development made so far is discussed climate of Karachi is described month wise. “From Kolachi to Karachi” includes the historical background from 17th century to 1947.

There is a chapter on Architectural heritage of Karachi, the most famous buildings amongst many are Quid-e-Azam House Museum, Mohatta Palace, Khaliq Dina Hall, Frere Hall, Mereweather Tower, Max Denso Hall, Empress Market, KPT and KMC buildings, Karachi Chamber of Commerce. Basic informations alongwith beautiful coloured illustrations are presented.

The cultural history of Karachi is traced, transportation through tramway is highlighted. Spotlights are fixed on the Karachi’s identity that Karachi Grammar School founded in 1847. Tracings are there of St. Patrick School, D.J. College, Delhi College & Schools, NED University, Karachi University, Dow University, Aga Khan University, Hamdard University and Sir Syed University.

There are chapters on evolution of new media through blogging and social networking. hub of business, Karachi ports, reflections of splendid beaches and coastline, sports clubs, hotels of repute, shopping centres, cinemas, Hamara Karachi Festivals, Book Fairs, Fashions, Glimpses Literary festivals, Social Sector Development in Karachi. There are three selected maps of Pakistan, Sindh and Karachi.

In last there is a section on practical information. It includes useful information on Airlines, Ambulance Services, Art Galleries, Banks, Blood Banks, Booksellers, Breakfast & Brunch, Cinemas, Clubs, Coach Services, Courier Services, Cultural Centers, Departmental Stores, Farm Houses, Fast Food, Florists, Foreign Missions, Fun Spots, Gift Shops, Golf Clubs, Handicrafts, Health Clubs, Hospitals, Hotels, Laboratories, Libraries Laboratories, Rent a Car, Restaurants, Travel Agents and Tour Operations.

This guide presents Karachi as a city of splendid history. Information are scrutinized and summarized carefully and presented in a literary way of writing. Pictures are of archival nature and reflect the fun of Camera. This book is good addition in book world and of printing in Pakistan too. Each and every library should buy this book for their information and reference desk.