Karachi: the metropolis on the Arabian Sea

Former capital of Pakistan before the shift to Islamabad, Karachi remains the country's principal port and economic centre overlooking the Arabian Sea.

The centre, a vast metropolis on the Arabian Sea, is best visited by taxi or motorised rickshaw.

The Mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam, dedicated to the founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah, remains one of the most revered monuments in the country with its white marble structure.

A short walk away, Frere Hall, a Victorian building constructed during British rule, now hosts a library and public exhibition space surrounded by gardens.

Continuing on, one visits the National Museum of Pakistan, which houses artifacts from the Indus Valley civilization to the British colonial era.

In the evening, Clifton Beach, along the Arabian Sea, comes alive with families and street vendors in the cooler hours of the day, with camels guided by hand.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, was born right in Karachi: his mausoleum remains a destination for school visits and civic pilgrimages from across the country.

Karachi, despite losing its role as the political capital in 1960, remains by far the most populous city in Pakistan and its main economic engine.