7.2. Key-socio economic indicators with focus on Karachi

7.2.1. Economic situation

As of 2023, Karachi, with approximately 20.3 million inhabitants, was the largest city in Pakistan2087 and the capital of Sindh province.2088 Karachi division, an administrative unit of Sindh, was subdivided into seven districts: Karachi Central, Karachi East, Karachi South, Karachi West, Keamari, Korangi, Malir.2089 Karachi was the financial and commercial centre of Pakistan2090 and the city accounted for almost 20 % of Pakistan’s GDP.2091 The industrial base included textile production, footwear manufacturing, chemicals, machinery, and petroleum, as well as food processing and fishery.2092 Furthermore, major automobile companies had assembly plants in Karachi.2093 Alongside Lahore, Karachi is one of the largest garment production hubs in Pakistan, with an estimated 2 500 to 4 000 textile and garment factories.2094 Due to its economic significance and employment opportunities, Karachi has attracted large numbers of internal migrants from other provinces and cities.2095 The city’s population grows at around 5 % per year.2096 The country’s two principal ports, Karachi Port and Port Mohammed Bin Qasim, are located in Karachi, with Karachi Port providing cargo connections to Afghanistan, Central Asia and Western China.2097 In addition, Jinnah International Airport, located in Karachi, is the largest international and domestic airport in Pakistan as of 2023.2098