Old pictures of Pakistani Cities

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Boat bridge across river Indus near Attock fort and Khairabad, 1878
Punjab / NWFP.

 

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1919 – Peshawar, historic Kabuli Gate
This photo is from the city of Peshawar when Kabuli Gate was known as Edwards Gate, which was the entrance to the famous Qissa Khwani Bazaar.

 

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Quetta Cantonment Baluchistan 1889s

 

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SAINT PATRICK'S CHURCH, Karachi in the 1940s.

 

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Royal Guest House, Peshawar 1920.

 

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Victoria Memorial Hall Peshawar 1930s
Present, Peshawar Museum.

 

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Once Upon a Time – Empress Market, Saddar, Karachi.

This historical image shows Empress Market during an era when Saddar was Karachi’s busiest commercial hub.

The three-wheeled “Vespa” rickshaw in the photo was a popular Italian-made vehicle commonly seen across the city in that period.

Constructed between 1884 and 1889 during British rule, the market was built on a site where participants of the 1857 rebellion were executed—intentionally designed to suppress its potential as a site of remembrance.

Even today, Empress Market stands as a symbol of Karachi’s vibrant past, Gothic architecture, and everyday hustle.

 

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Esso Petrol Pump, near present-day Gul Plaza Karachi – 1965

This picture is from the time when Esso Petrol Pump was located here. After some time, it was converted into a PSO pump, and finally this petrol pump was closed.
A memorable glimpse of the old streets of Karachi

 

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Khyber Pass 1928-1929, An integral part of the ancient Silk Road, it is one of the oldest known passes in the world.

 

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Karachi

 

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Palace Hotel (1934–1980)

Established in the early 1930s by Sidney Marder, Palace Hotel stood as a symbol of Karachi’s elegance for nearly five decades — until it was quietly demolished in 1980 to make way for the Sheraton.





A beautifully preserved Bedford OB coach stands outside Karachi’s legendary Palace Hotel, likely having just dropped off guests arriving for a taste of colonial-era elegance.

With its signature “bull nose” front and graceful postwar design, the Bedford OB was one of the most beloved British coaches of its time — over 12,000 were built between 1939 and 1951.

In those days, arriving in a vehicle like this wasn’t just travel — it was an experience.
A rare glimpse into the days when Karachi moved with style, and the Palace Hotel welcomed the world.

 

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Somewhere In Yasin Valley, Photograph By Sir Aurel Stein, Gilgit-Baltistan, August 1913.

 

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"Askole" On The Braldu River Looking West, Gilgit-Baltistan, 20 June, 1902.

© Jacot-Guillarmod, Jules




1940



Nanga Parbat, Gilgit-Baltistan, Photograph Taken By Royal Air Force, 1933

 

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Traffic passing in front of Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) building, Karachi, Sindh, 1952.

The foundation stone of the Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) building was laid in 1895 during the reign of Lord Sandhurst G.C.I.E, Governor of Bombay. Construction of this building was finally completed in 1930 and was inaugurated on 7 January 1932.

© Clarence W. Sorensen / UWM Library

 

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Zero Point Islamabad, 1990's