KARACHI: As the southern Pakistani city of Karachi evolves into a sprawling metropolis, one constant has stood the test of time: the rhythmic chime of its historic clock towers — relics of the British colonial era that serve not only as timekeepers but as enduring symbols of the rich history of the seaside metropolis.
With over a dozen of these monuments scattered across the city, the clock towers remind residents of an era when punctuality and precision were highly valued. At the heart of this legacy lies the iconic clock tower atop the Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) building. Built in 1935 to commemorate King George V’s Silver Jubilee, the historic timekeeper remains the only one still functioning on its original mechanics.
Each day, technician Saleem Ahmed Khan Zubairi climbs the five-story structure of the KMC building to maintain the clock’s intricate machinery. With a simple turn of a key, he sets the mechanism in motion and the clock’s chimes ring out through the bustling streets below.
“It’s been operating for nearly 90 years and is still in almost in perfect original condition,” 55-year-old Zubairi, who has been working at the clock tower for the last 15 years, told Arab News.
Most of the other 13 clocktowers documented by Arab News in Karachi have ceased functioning, now only serving as visual reminders of a bygone era.
“Only two [of Karachi’s clock towers] are in working condition. One of them, as you can see at the KMC Head Office, it is in 100 percent genuine condition,” Zubairi said. “The others, like Merewether Tower, are no longer genuine because electronic machines have been installed in it.”
The clock towers were more than just functional structures but also were symbolic of the value placed on time during the British colonial era, according to Shaheen Nauman, a researcher specializing in Karachi’s heritage buildings.
“These clock towers were built to instill a sense of time and its value in the local population,” Nauman explained, standing outside the Edulji Dinshaw Charitable Dispensary, the oldest clock tower in Karachi, built in 1882. “They [the British] not only valued it, but they also tried to inculcate this value in the natives of Karachi.”
Clock towers were first introduced in the Indian Subcontinent during an exhibition by Bennett and Co. in Agra in 1867, according to Nauman, referring to a company owned by Sir John Bennett (1814-1897), a clock and watch maker. Over the decades, they continued to help residents tell time before wristwatches and household clocks became commonplace.
“The first person who purchased the clock was Lala Sohan Lal and he gave it to his municipality in Mirzapur,” she said, referring to the famous Punjabi historiographer who died in 1852.
“FALL INTO DESPAIR”
The clock towers of Karachi, like much of the city’s colonial architecture, are diverse in their design. Many were constructed with Gizri stone but the KMC clock tower is unique, built using red sandstone imported from Jodhpur.
The towers were strategically placed in busy marketplaces or public spaces, ensuring that the sound of their chimes would reach far and wide. Some of them include Merewether Tower (1884), Trinity Church Cathedral (1885), Denso Hall & Library (1886), Empress Market (1889), Poonabai Mamaiya (1889), Jaffer Fuddoo Dispensary (1904), Sydenham Passenger Pavilion at Keamari (1913), Lakshmi Building (1924), and Lea Market (1927).
“They were built in a crowded area, especially the market area, like the Empress Market or the KMC building, so that people could not only hear it, they can, because it was an hour bell and a quarter bell, quarter-hour bell, the time can visually be seen.,” Nauman said.
Yasmeen Lari, a pioneering Pakistani architect and historian, writes in her book, “The Dual City: Karachi During the Raj,” that the native agrarian society had continued to subsist in the pre-industrialized, colonized Subcontinent, unaware of the greater importance attached to time by industrialized Britain.
“The fascination [of the British] with clocks was reflected by their placement on prominent buildings such as the Edulji Dinshaw charitable dispensary and Empress Market in Karachi,” she wrote.
Today, while the clock towers may no longer serve as vital timekeepers in Karachi, they still stand as “silent witnesses to the passage of time” and as symbols of a “city that has not forgotten its heritage,” Zubairi, at the KMC Clock Tower, said.
A proposal was once floated to automate the tower’s winding process through electric motors, but it was abandoned to preserve the originality of the clock, Zubairi said.
The mayor’s office has recently developed a plan to restore the dysfunctional timekeepers, starting with one at Empress Market.
“We will soon bring it back to working condition,” Zubairi said, as the KMC clock tower struck four in the evening behind him.
Karachi’s iconic clock towers keep time and heritage alive for over a century
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Karachi’s iconic clock towers keep time and heritage alive for over a century
- Clocktowers were first introduced in the Indian Subcontinent during an exhibition by Bennett and Co. in Agra in 1867, researcher says
- Most of the over a dozen clock towers scattered across Karachi have ceased functioning but serve as visual reminders of British colonial era
One injured as explosion derails three coaches of Jaffar Express train in Pakistan’s south
- This is the second incident involving Jaffar Express since it resumed operations in March, following a rare hijacking
- In June, the train narrowly avoided a disaster, when a bogie of its power van derailed near Shikarpur’s Mandi Phatak area
ISLAMABAD: At least one person was injured when an explosion derailed three coaches of the Jaffar Express train in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province, Pakistan’s state media reported on Monday.
The train, which was en route to Quetta from Peshawar, derailed in Sindh’s Shkarpur district after the explosion damaged part of the railway track, the APP news agency reported, citing Sukkur Divisional Superintendent of Railways Jamshaid Alam.
The incident forced authorities to suspend train operations on Monday evening.
“Teams from Sukkur were summoned to start repairing work after the incident,” the report read. “It may take up to further five hours to restore the track.”
This is the second incident involving Jaffar Express since it resumed operations in March, following a rare hijacking by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) separatist militants in March with 400 passengers aboard.
The hijacking in the rugged Bolan mountain range ended on March 12 after an hours-long military operation that killed 33 militants and rescued hostages. The standoff also left 23 soldiers, three railway staff and five passengers dead.
In June, the train narrowly avoided a disaster, when a bogie of its power van derailed near Shikarpur’s Mandi Phatak area, according to the APP report.
The provincial government has ordered an investigation into Monday’s explosion.
Pakistan’s railway system faces frequent derailments due to poor maintenance and militant attacks targeting rail tracks, especially in Sindh and Balochistan provinces.
These incidents underscore an urgent need for infrastructure and security upgrades across the rail network.
Pakistan, Egypt resolve to boost cooperation in defense, trade and other key sectors
- The development comes at a meeting of the two foreign ministers in New York
- Both sides also agreed to undertake high-level exchanges in the near future
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty on Monday held a meeting in New York, where they agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in defense, trade and other key sectors, the Pakistani foreign ministry said.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of a high-level United Nations (UN) summit on Palestine, which is being co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France on July 28-29.
Appreciating the continued collaboration at multilateral fora, FM Abdelatty congratulated Pakistan on assuming the Presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of July.
“The two leaders emphasized the importance of enhancing broad-based cooperation across various sectors, including medical, minerals, defense, trade, and investment,” the Pakistan foreign ministry said.
“They agreed on the need to strengthen connectivity between Pakistan and Egypt to promote economic integration and facilitate greater trade. Both sides also agreed to undertake high-level exchanges in the near future.”
Pakistan and Egypt have cordial ties and both countries have resolved in recent years to facilitate businessmen with visas, exchange trade-related information and promote private-sector contacts.
During Monday’s meeting, the two foreign ministers reiterated their unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their just cause, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.
“The two ministers underscored the urgent need for unimpaired humanitarian access, an immediate cessation of Israeli hostilities, and expressed hope for a meaningful and constructive outcome of the International Conference on the Two-State Solution,” it added.
The UN conference is being held at a time of worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza and France’s historic decision to formally recognize Palestine as a state.
The summit takes place a day after Israel declared a “tactical pause” in fighting in parts of Gaza, where more than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, saying it would allow the UN and aid agencies to open secure land routes to tackle a deepening hunger crisis.
Analysts say France’s move could tip the balance internationally. Already, 147 of 193 UN member states — nearly 75 percent — recognize Palestine, including nearly all of Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. France would be the first G7 country to join that group, with the official declaration to be made at the UN General Assembly in September.
Pakistan finance minister due in US for ‘final’ round of trade talks
- Pakistan, US have been engaged in talks after Washington announced a 29 percent ‘reciprocal tariff’ on Pakistani exports in April
- Islamabad said the move, which was paused on April 9 for a 90-day period, may undercut its fragile, export-led economic recovery
KARACHI: Pakistan’s finance minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, has left for the United States (US) for a “final” round of trade talks between the two countries, the Pakistani finance ministry said on Monday.
Pakistan and the US have been engaged in talks after Washington announced a 29 percent “reciprocal tariff” on Pakistani exports in April. Islamabad said the move, paused on April 9 for a 90-day period, may undercut its fragile, export-led recovery.
The US is Pakistan’s top export destination, with shipments totaling $5.44 billion in fiscal year 2023-2024, according to official data. From July 2024 to February 2025, exports rose 10 percent from a year earlier.
The Pakistani finance ministry said the finalization of a trade agreement between Pakistan and the US will benefit both economies, noting opportunities for partnership between the two countries in various sectors.
“US is Pakistan’s largest trading partner. Pakistan is keen to expand bilateral trade ties to traditional and non-traditional sectors,” it said.
“There are vast opportunities for partnership between the two countries in key sectors such as information technology, minerals and agriculture.”
This is Aurangzeb’s second visit to the US this month. The finance minister last week said that Islamabad and Washington were exploring a shift in their economic engagement, anchored in long-term investment.
“One thing we discussed was that we have to move beyond the immediate trade imperative for it to be brought into the next level and bring in a real step change,” he said, following his meeting with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington.
“So, the investment imperative will come forward, and areas have already been identified in terms of minerals and mining, in terms of AI [artificial intelligence], in terms of digital infrastructure [and] crypto,” Aurangzeb said.
“We feel that this will be a real game changer, God willing, in terms of the relationship and the economic relationship between Pakistan and the United States.”
Finmin highlights Pakistan’s IT, mineral and agriculture potential for collaboration with US
- Muhammad Aurangzeb briefs the US chargé d’affaires on Pakistan’s macroeconomic indicators and rating upgrades
- Both countries have been engaged in talks since the US announced in April 29 percent ‘reciprocal tariff’ on Pakistani exports
KARACHI: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday met with US Chargé d’Affaires Elizabeth Horst and discussed with her the potential of Pakistan’s information technology (IT), minerals and agriculture sectors for collaboration with the United States, the Pakistani finance ministry said.
The meeting served as an opportunity to exchange views on matters of mutual interest and to reaffirm the positive trajectory of bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United States.
Aurangzeb appreciated the continued US support for Pakistan’s development and macroeconomic stability achieved over the past year and a half, according to the Pakistani finance ministry.
“Aurangzeb underscored the importance of the US as Pakistan’s largest trading partner and highlighted Pakistan’s keen interest in broadening bilateral cooperation beyond traditional sectors,” his ministry said.
“He specifically pointed to the promising potential in information technology, minerals and agriculture as avenues for mutually beneficial collaboration.”
The US is Pakistan’s top export destination, with shipments totaling $5.44 billion in fiscal year 2023-2024, according to official data. From July 2024 to February 2025, exports rose 10 percent from a year earlier.
Both countries have been engaged in talks after Washington announced a 29 percent “reciprocal tariff” on Pakistani exports in April. Islamabad said the move, paused in June for a 90-day period, may undercut its fragile, export-led recovery.
Recalling his visit to the US this month, Aurangzeb shared insights from his productive meetings with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer in Washington, noting “encouraging progress” in deepening trade and economic ties between the two countries.
He also briefed Horst on Pakistan’s recent macroeconomic indicators, including sovereign rating upgrades and renewed investor confidence, according to the Pakistani finance ministry.
The US chargé d’affaires appreciated the economic progress and the government’s reform-driven approach, emphasizing the US commitment to strengthening economic and trade ties with Pakistan.
“She reiterated US support for continued economic and political stability in Pakistan, and expressed optimism for an enduring and robust business partnership between the two nations,” the Pakistani ministry said.
“The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to building on the momentum of current engagements to further deepen bilateral cooperation.”
15 militants killed as Pakistani helicopters pound hideouts near Afghan border — official
- The development comes a week after eight Pakistani paramilitary troops were killed in a clash with militants in Orakzai district
- More than 200 army and police personnel are participating in the ongoing grand operation in Hangu, Karak, Orakzai and Kurram areas
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani gunship helicopters have hit militant hideouts near the country’s border with Afghanistan in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, a senior police official said on Monday, adding that the days-long operation has left 15 militants dead so far.
Pakistan has struggled to contain a surge in militancy in KP in recent years. Militant groups, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have frequently targeted security forces convoys and check-posts, besides targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in the region.
Regional Police Officer Abbas Majeed Marwat said the gunship helicopters destroyed several militant hideouts in Kohat, Hangu, Orakzai and Lower Kurram border areas and several militants were seen fleeing to mountain forests in the vicinity.
“Operation against terrorists is underway in Chapri, Kandao, Shanawari, Zargari, Naryab and other mountainous areas. More than 200 army and police personnel are participating in the ongoing grand operation against khawarij [TTP militants],” Marwat said in a statement.
“Fifteen terrorists have been killed and many others have been injured in the operation in Hangu, Karak, Orakzai and Kurram that has been going on for the past ten days.”
Marwat’s comments came a week after eight Pakistani paramilitary troops and four militants were killed in a clash in KP’s Orakzai district that borders Afghanistan.
“Armed terrorists attacked a Frontier Corps (FC) convoy with heavy weapons... The fighting continued for several hours,” AFP news agency quoted a senior local security official as saying.
“Eight FC personnel were killed, and 11 were injured.”
In recent months, Islamabad has frequently accused India of backing militant groups and Afghanistan of allowing the use of its soil for attacks against Pakistan. Kabul and New Delhi deny the allegation.
