The main economic hub and the largest city of Pakistan, Karachi, was recently ranked as the sixth least expensive city around the world. According to a bona fide survey by Economist Intelligence Unit, which compared the price of living in more than 130 cities, Karachi was found to be the cheapest city of Pakistan, and third inexpensive in the subcontinent.
The increases in prices were compared to the cost of living in New York, used as a level, and included expenditures such as purchasing, buying, selling and shopping.
A retired officer and pensioner, Riazuddin, said that his pension was good enough for him to run his family and even help others as well. “Islamabad and Rahim Yar Khan are very costly cities, and after Karachi, Hyderabad is suitable for middle and lower-middle-class families”, he added.
A worker, Imran Khurrum, contentedly stated that Karachi is Ghareebo Ki Maan ‘mother of poor’ where everyone can live without any financial strain. He further believed that this was the city where a person could quench his hunger for merely Rs 20 to 30.
In other cities, samosa was sold at Rs 30, but here pricing started from Rs 10.
The survey found Hong Kong, Singapore and Paris to be the most expensive cities to live in. In Paris, a haircut on average cost $119.04.
It is quite interesting to note that nothing is off in the city of Karachi as all facilities are available here. If anyone is hungry, he can order food by making a phone call. On the other hand, food streets are open till dawn where all delicious and mouthwatering foods are to be had.
Published in Daily Times, March 21st 2019.
