Final Year Project

Project Title

Belonging and Identity in Karachi: A Study of Lived Experiences in the City of Migrants

Description

My undergraduate thesis explores how residents of Karachi construct belonging and identity within what is often described as a “city of migrants.” Given the city’s immense diversity, the study moves beyond demographic statistics to examine the lived experiences of the people who call Karachi home. Using qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews with individuals across diverse linguistic backgrounds, genders, income groups, and age cohorts, the research investigates how migration histories shape experiences of identity, memory, and belonging. By centering personal narratives, the study highlights how communities negotiate home, cultural continuity, and resilience in a rapidly changing urban environment, offering insights into migration, urban diversity, and social belonging in Karachi.