Stories by Mansoor Raza

SOUNDSCAPES OF MUHARRAM

Soul-stirring, heartbreaking, and melodically and poetically inventive, the noha occupies a central place in the Subcontinent’s Muharram mourning tradition.

Updated 24 Jun, 2026 08:02pm

A TALE OF THREE CITIES

Karachi’s 1,414 informal settlements are not urban accidents and instead function as dynamic systems of survival. Examining three

Published 08 Mar, 2026 08:44am

THE IMAMBARGAHS THAT SHAPED KARACHI'S SOUL

From humble pre-Partition origins, and born out of unwavering devotion, Karachi’s earliest imambargahs organically evolved into dynamic spiritual anchors that have defined the city’s cultural fabric over the decades.

Updated 06 Jul, 2025 12:59pm

KARACHI BY NUMBERS

From poor female employment numbers to a growing housing crisis, Karachi Census 2023 presents an accurate image of issues that need to be addressed in the city.

Updated 09 Feb, 2025 02:23pm

WHY KARACHI THIRSTS FOR WATER

Water ‘tankers’ barrelling down the road are a common sight even in Karachi’s ‘posh’ areas, illustrating the greatest issue

Updated 05 Jan, 2025 12:10pm

THE URDU NOHA AND ITS SPATIAL DYNAMICS

The beating pulse of Muharram is underpinned by the noha, which is more than just a recounting of the events and tragedy of Karbala.

Updated 14 Jul, 2024 09:11pm

CULTURE: VERSES OF DEFIANCE

Urdu resistance poetry has played a seminal role in the darkest of times, challenging the status quo, giving voice to

Updated 21 Apr, 2024 04:16pm

Understanding change

Karachi neighbourhoods have undergone massive upheaval.

Published 02 Mar, 2024 07:04am

Social breakdown

Inflation has cast a shadow on every sphere of life.

Published 13 Jan, 2024 07:07am

THE DISTANT DREAM OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Pakistan’s population explosion and rapid urbanisation has left a growing number of people without access to housing.

Updated 07 Nov, 2022 10:35am

Pakistan's history of disasters and the lessons we fail to learn

All hazards are natural and all disasters a result of unjust anthropogenic interactions with nature.

Updated 27 Sep, 2023 12:07pm

Karachi's crumbling infrastructure has made rain a bane for its residents

Karachi will continue to flood no matter how many thousands are displaced in the name of anti-encroachment drives.

Updated 28 Jul, 2022 02:06pm

THE INVISIBLE SENIORS OF PAKISTAN

Thanks to advances in medicine, the number of citizens who are 60 years and above is rising around the world. But in this country

Published 24 Jan, 2021 06:44am

THE FAULT IN OUR MEGAPROJECTS

How can city planning be made more inclusive?

Updated 13 Dec, 2020 12:48pm

SOCIETY: OUR FAILING SYSTEM OF MENTAL HEALTHCARE

The prevalence of mental illness has increased with unemployment and political and economic uncertainty, which can only

Published 13 Oct, 2019 07:12am

Who's afraid of the census?

Voices of dissent are once again being raised about a constitutional requirement.

Updated 30 Jan, 2017 01:05pm

The phenomena of Qandeel Baloch: Changing women ─ Moving into public space

Horror stories about rise in violence against women may mask trend showing increasing role of women in the public sphere

Updated 12 Aug, 2016 11:37am

CHANGING WOMEN: MOVING INTO PUBLIC SPACE

The horror stories about the rise of violence against women may be masking a complementary trend: the increasing role

Updated 12 Aug, 2016 03:54am

On death’s door: trade unions in Pakistan

May Day was once the celebration of the eight-hour day movement; today, it is a gory reminder of the global decline of

Published 01 May, 2016 07:01am

Caste and captivity: Dalit suffering in Sindh

While the men are routinely subjected to everyday violence, the more heinous attacks on scheduled castes are aimed at

Published 13 Mar, 2016 06:40am