Old pictures of Pakistani Cities

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The gates of National Stadium, Karachi—guarded, decorated, and dignified. Flags of three nations fluttering above as a visiting President entered, and Karachi quietly took its place on the world map of cricket and diplomacy. 1959

 

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Once upon a time in Karachi, in the heart of Saddar on Ziauddin Ahmed Road, near DJ Sindh Government Science College, there stood a British-era landmark known as Lambert Market.

Established in 1867 and named after District Magistrate W. R. Lambert, this unique dovecote-shaped market supplied vegetables, meat, and daily essentials to the city’s residents.

By the mid-20th century, Lambert Market disappeared—demolished and forgotten

 

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This collage takes us back to the golden days of Saddar.

First Picture:
On the right: A view of Fraser Road now Dr. Daud Pota Road where Zafrin Watches can be seen from afar, a landmark for timepiece lovers in the city.

Second Picture:
On the left: The Lotia Building at the corner of Elphinstone Street and Inverarity Road, home to some of Karachi’s most remembered shops — Greenwich Book & Stationery Store, Barkat Ali & Brothers tailors and drapers, and of course, the famous Zafrin Watches further along the street.

Two streets, one city — these images remind us of Karachi’s vibrant commercial past, its colonial-era architecture, and the everyday life that once filled these neighborhoods.

 

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Karachi Grammar School, founded in 1847, stands as one of the city’s oldest and most cherished educational institutions.

This 1960 photograph captures its timeless grace — a place where generations of Karachi’s youth discovered knowledge, friendship, and purpose.

Long before the city’s skyline changed, these very walls echoed with morning assemblies, laughter in classrooms, and the spirit of learning that shaped countless lives.

More than a school, KGS became a part of Karachi’s collective memory — a quiet witness to its growth, charm, and evolving soul.

 

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1957

 

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Shahrah-e-Faisal Karachi in 1980s

 

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GOOD OLD KARACHI IN 1950s

In this picture, it can be seen that there was two-way traffic on Bandar Road until the 1960's, but then after the increase in the number of vehicles, Bandar Road was used for one-way traffic in the 1970's, while the tram service was banned. It kept running both ways and in this era some accidents also happened.

This was also a reason for the closure of the tram service. While on the other hand, the statue on the top of the Lakshmi Building can be seen, which means that the statue of Lakshmi Devi was later removed from here and that of Ahmed Halwai. The shop was also here till the 1970s.

 

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BEAUTIFUL KARACHI IN 1985
A busy signal and a queue of cars in Karachi in the 80s.

 

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"PAKISTAN HOTEL" KARACHI IN 1974-75

 

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Anwar Rizvi
One of the most historic buildings of Karachi. Its original name was Dinshaw House after Seth Eduljee Dinshaw who was the biggest landowner of Karachi at the time. Dinshaw house was built in 1890 in Italian renaissance style

 

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Naz Cinema RawalPindi in 1982

 

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Karachi 1973

 

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Karachi 1957

 

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Lea Market, Karachi Pakistan in 1960's.