Searching for home away from home: Migrants’ journey to Pakistan from India

KARACHI: Partition of the subcontinent separated millions of people from their extended families and countries of origin, detaching them from places they once called home. But the days of yore still remain with them, like the chapter of a novel embedded in their memories.

From Kanpur to Karachi: Story of an eight grader

Home to people migrating from across the border, Karachi, Dr Tahira Rizvi recalls, was once free of divisions based on ethnicity and race.

Speaking about the days around Partition, when, as a young girl she moved to Pakistan, Tahira says they came in search of refuge as the conditions in their former home had turned unfavourable for them to continue living in.

“We were living in Kanpur, India before migrating to Pakistan,” Tahira tells Geo.tv. “Ours was a Muslim neighbourhood [in India] which was under target.”

Her father Syed Nemat sent her, along with some other family members, to Pakistan as soon as he found the first possible chance as he did not want Tahira’s to be among the many that were being killed in communal riots, she adds.

Although killings were taking place in Pakistan as well, the situation was comparatively better on the other side of the newly drawn border, Tahira recalls.

After migrating to Karachi, a diverse metropolis of the country, Tahira found shelter in Lalukhet, an area known for its markets.

Just like for many other migrants, moving homes came with its consequences, but Tahira was determined to make sure it did not affect her education. She continued studying in Karachi, and after completing school and college, was successful in getting admission in one of the country’s top medical colleges.

“I got enrolled in Dow University of Health Sciences on merit,” says the successful doctor who had come to Pakistan after only completing grade eight.

An old bicycle and the streets of Karachi

Partition seemed to be a promise of a better life for Syed Mehboob Abid, who crossed the border in search of livelihood.

“I was living in Lucknow, India, where even Hindus would not find good jobs,” he tells Geo.tv.

As the situation deteriorated around the time of Partition, Abid says, he moved to Karachi. “I left my mother and other family members when a curfew was imposed in my area back in India.”

Abid says he crossed the border alone, coming to Karachi, where he started living with his relatives who were already in the city.

“When Islamia college opened in Karachi, I took admission here,” he adds. “I was also working alongside getting an education.”

His day started at 7am, when he would get ready, jump on an old bicycle that he managed to acquire. “I would first go to my college where after lessons and spending some time with friends I had lunch.”

Then the second part of his day started at work where he would do his job until sunset.

Abid believes his persistence and hard work earned him a position in the society and a comfortable livelihood. He managed to move out of the neighbourhood he started at and is now living in one of the city's posh localities.   

—Reporting by Suhayb Alvi; Writing by Zahidun Nisa