PKonweb News Monitor
SEP 6 – Karachi’s Orangi Township is the largest slum in Asia, according to a report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Orangi is where most of the Biharis in particular and East Pakistanis in general settled after migrating from the former province of East Pakistan – right before and after the fall of Dhaka and the formation of independent Bangladesh in Dec 1971.
Previously it was believed that Dharavi, which is in the heart of India’s financial capital Mumbai, was the largest slum in Asia.
Orangi sprung into a slum due to unmanaged, uncontrolled settlement by migrants from former East Pakistan. Subsequent lack of attention from political leadership and non-commitment of resources led these disenfranchised but highly political community to muster and self-support its own survival and growth.
Todate the area remains wanting of inclusion in the city’s ambitious masterplan.
As one blogger has commented, perhaps an aspiring film producer striving to be the next Danny Boyle, should now visit Karachi and portray Orangi Township in all its splendor! You never know we may empower another slum dweller as the next Slumdog Millionaire!
One Response to “Orangi Township Is Asia’s Largest Slum: UNDP”
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[...] Originally Posted by PakShaheen79 Now can I see an official UNDP link for this to confirm because no way i am going to trust ToI or HT. Would you like to trust a Pakistan based website… Orangi Township is Asia's largest slum: UNDP | PK on web [...]