The Citizens Archive of Pakistan and I AM Karachi present 'Veera Ki Kahaani'. Be a part of Veera's musical journey where she makes magical friends and helps the community rediscover their bonds. Starting from the 1st April on Radio 1 FM 91." 

CAP 'Karachi Ki Kahaniyan' Radio Tours- Veera Ki Kahani

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan and I am Karachi present 'Karachi ki Kahaani'.  Airing every Wednesday from 4:00-5:00 PM.

CAP 'Karachi Ki Kahaniyan' Radio Tours

Zamurad Akhzar was born in Gujrat (Punjab) in 1932. In later years she actively campaigned for Fatima Jinnah. 

In this podcast she talks about life in Gujrat from before Partition, her childhood memories, her Hindu friends and crafts of the city. She also talks about wealthy Hindu merchants of the city and the inter-communal harmony that existed before Partition. She still remembers that she and her Hindu friends would not discriminate between Hindu and Muslim festivals. She also talks about how she and her friends did not abstain from eating at each other's homes. 

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #168 : Zamurad Akhzar

Salahuddin Khalid was born on 24th Feb 1938 in Gawalior, India. In this podcast he talks about a traumatic incident his family experienced during the riots in India.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #173 - Salahuddin Khalid

Mr. Agha Nasir was born in 1937 in Meerut, India. He worked at Radio Pakistan as a script writer and then a producer. 

In this podcast he speaks about the time that Radio Pakistan was established and how it’s dynamics changed over the years.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #175 - Agha Nasir

Bushra Waheed has spent a significant amount of her life in the city of Hyderabad. In this podcast, she describes the progressive metropolitan city as a hub of intellectual and infrastructural growth. She narrates a tale of her visit to Washington DC and exclaims that all the things her fellow Pakistanis saw with wonder in their eyes in DC, she had already seen in Hyderabad.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #176 - Bushra Waheed

Sheema Kermani is a classical dancer, teacher, drama artist and women’s rights activist. She heads Tehrik-e-Niswan, [“The Women’s Movement”], an organization dedicated to improving women’s rights in Pakistan by raising awareness through the use of dance and the performing arts.
She was born on 16th January 1951 in Rawalpindi. In this Podcast she talks about personal and cultural identity and how people should be true to themselves.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #177 - Sheema Kermani

Gulzar Bano was born in 1927 in Basti Sheikh, near the Indian city of Jalandhar. She topped the competitive CSS exams as a young woman and served Pakistani government most of her life. In her conversation with the Lahore OHP team, Ms Bano talks about her father who was a forest officer posted in Lucknow at the time of Partition. She narrates the story of how she and her brothers were transported to Pakistan from Lucknow in November 1947 in a special military train.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #178 - Gulzar Bano

Dr. Shahid Majeed was born in Hinda Bagh (later renamed Muslim Bagh), near Quetta in 1949. He worked at the National Institution of Public Administration from 1973 to 2009. His father worked for Pakistan Railways and preferred being posted to small, exotic railway stations on the western frontier. 
In this conversation with the Lahore OHP team, Dr. Majeed talks about the good old days and his time at the Punjab University when life was simpler and peaceful. He talks about the charismatic and benevolent nature of the Vice Chancellor at Punjab University, Dr. Allama Alauddin Siddiqui, and how he reacted when angry students broke his furniture at home.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #180 - Shahid Majeed

Zia Mohyeddin was born in 1933 in Faisalabad. He is a Pakistani actor, producer, director and television broadcaster who has appeared in both Pakistani cinema and British cinema throughout his career. 

In this Podcast he talks about something that is extremely essential to CAP’s Oral history project, that is, memory! He speaks about how human memory fades away eventually and how it is just snippets of information, flashes of images and certain moments in a person’s life that one can never forget. He talks about these memories in relation to his own life and the small moments that have been so important in defining him as a person.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #181 - Zia Mohyeddin

Tara Chand was born in 1926 in Kareem Street near Neela Gunbad in Lahore. He witnessed violence, riots and bloodshed in different parts of Lahore during Partition. He remembers seeing dismembered corpses, houses being burnt and Hindus killed by Muslim mobs in the city. Talking to the Lahore OHP team he graphically narrated events from Partition.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #182 - Tara Chand

In this interview, Azra Haq recounts a memorable conversation with Fatima Jinnah. According to Azra Haq, topics pertaining to the National Guard and her contribution to the rehabilitation activities aimed at improving the lives of those women who were abandoned during the partition were primarily discussed with Ms. Jinnah. Later in the interview, she describes Fatima Jinnah’s beautiful apparel and awe-inspiring personality in detail.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #183 - Azra Haq

In this interview, Naseem Sani recounts an incident that she experienced in Lahore, right after the Partition. She describes seeing a truck full of Hindu bodies being carried away, who had been killed by the Muslims in Pakistan in retaliation of the violent rioting in India during the initial Partition days. Later in the interview, she also discusses the horrific journey to Pakistan, especially for the people who had been travelling by trains from India to Pakistan. 

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #185 - Naseem Sani

In this podcast, Mr. Kamal Hayat talks about pre-Partition Aitchison and how it was originally divided into three houses for Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs. The idea was not to discourage integration but it was felt that people would feel more comfortable within their own communities. When Mr. Hayat came to Aitchison after the Partition, there were only 30 students studying there. Many of the teachers stayed but majority of the non-Muslim students migrated to India.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #188 - Kamal Hayat

Mrs. Sughra Kazmi was born in 1932 in Hyderabad Deccan. In this podcast she talks about her journey to Pakistan with her family and the difficulties that were faced.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #189 - Sughra Kazmi

In this podcast, Mrs. Tasneem Hassan talks about her experiences and interactions with Hindus in pre-Partition India. They used to serve food, especially ice creams to Muslims on peepal [banyan] leaves and rarely touched them. This is why, according to Mrs. Tasneem Hasan, it was necessary to make Pakistan.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #190 - Tasneem Hasan

In this podcast, Mrs. Salma Humayun talks about her husband, Mr. Humayun Faiz Rasool, who had been taken a prisoner of war in 1975. After the fall of Dhaka, she had not been able contact him for a while, that is, until Red Cross finally took them [prisoners of war] under their wing. It was only under the aegis of Red Cross that they were finally able send and receive letters and money from their family. The news of his capture had been communicated through a hastily written letter which had been brought to Islamabad by a journalist her husband had met only once before.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #192 - Salma Humayun

Mehmuda Belgaumi was born in 1939 in Hyderabad Deccan. She migrated to Pakistan with her family in March 1948. Her father, Mushtaq Ahmed Khan was appointed by the Nizam of Hyderabad Deccan as a representative of Hyderabad Deccan in Pakistan. Mrs. Belgaumi herself has lived in Karachi, Lahore and Dhaka. In this podcast she reminisces about Karachi in 1948, at the time of the first Independence Day Parade.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #194 - Mehmuda Belgaumi

In this podcast Jagijit Singh Bali of Jammu talks about the journey of Sikh pilgrims from India to Pakistan. Sikh pilgrims from around the world and India visited Pakistan in November 2016 to take part in Baba Guru Nanak’s 548th birth anniversary. Sikh pilgrims took part in Nagar Kirtan at Nankana Sahib and visited several Gurdwaras across Pakistani Punjab. He also sings from Guru Granth Sahib in this podcast.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #196 - Jagjit Singh Bali

In this podcast, Bano Qudsia recounts the context behind writing her renowned novel ‘Raja Gidh’. She remembers how one day she heard somebody whispering Raja Gidh in her ears, and on her attempt to follow the voice, she found a notebook with the name of the title written on it.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #207 - Bano Qudsia

In this podcast, Naseem Aftab narrates the story of her brother who was one of the prisoners of war in 1971. She describes how letters were the only means of communication with him, and how her family figured out his location in Bangladesh.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #210 - Naseem Aftab

Arsalan Khatoon was born in 1937 in Akola, India and moved to Pakistan in 1951. 

In this podcast, she talks about her experience escaping the police action of the Indian government in Hyderabad Deccan in September 1948 which forced her to find refuge in the forest as she ran for her life.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #215 - Arsalan Khatoon

Ejazuddin was born in Jalandhar, India, in September of 1942. He joined the Pakistan Air Force in 1964 and retired in September 1995. In this interview, he speaks about the day when his family barely escaped an angry mob that burnt his house down in Jalandhar.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #219 - Ejazuddin

Mehnaz Rafi was born in 1943 in Lucknow, India. She is one of the founding members of the Women's Action Forum (WAF). In this podcast, she talks about how WAF, without being formally registered, endeavored and expanded during the regime of Zia-ul-Haq and fought for the rights of women.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #220 - Mehnaz Rafi

Bahar Begum was born in August 1944 and worked as an actress in the Pakistani film industry intermittently from 1956 to 2006. In this podcast, she reflects on the language barrier she faced when she first started working in the film industry.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #222 - Bahar Begum

Kanwal Naseer was the first announcer, broadcaster and newscaster of Pakistan. In this podcast, she talks about her career as a broadcaster for Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV).

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #225 - Kanwal Naseer

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan (CAP) had the privilege to interview Dr. Ruth Katherina Martha Pfau, who left us for her holy abode today, 10th August 2017. She was an outstanding human being and has done extraordinary work in Pakistan for the eradication of Leprosy. 

She was born in Germany, stayed in Pakistan after visiting a neighbourhood housing lepers in Karachi. In 1960, she founded the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC), aimed at eradicating the disease from Pakistan and rehabilitating its sufferers. To date, it counsels patients and their families and seeks to address the associated stigma .
In 1996, her efforts resulted in World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring Pakistan the first South Asian country to have controlled leprosy.   She has received Nishan-i-Quaid-i-Azam, Hilal-i-Pakistan, Hilal-e-Imtiaz and Order of Merit (Germany) for her services.

In this podcast Dr.Ruth Pfau talks about Leprosy and how she began her journey.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #227 - Dr. Ruth Katherina Martha Pfau

Yasmin Bokhari was born in 1939 in Lahore. Her father was a TB specialist and their family lived in a home near Dil Mohammad Road in 1947. Most of the homes on Dil Mohammad Road belonged to Hindus before Partition. The part of the city they lived in is not far from the Walled City and the railway station, which were at the center of this historic event in Lahore; refugees arriving and leaving from the railway station. She recalls the first announcement broadcasted from Radio Pakistan by Mustafa Ali Hamadani.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #228 - Yasmin Bokhari

Abeeda Abidi was born in 1932 in Patiala. She was a member of the Pakistan's Women National Guard (PWNG) and worked actively for the progression and rehabilitation of Pakistan and the people migrating. In this Podcast he speaks about the day Quaid-e-Azam died 11th September 1948 and the way people reacted.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #229 - Abeeda Abidi

A tribute to Joseph Allan Goveas (24th July 1949 - 14th September 2017)

Joseph Allan Goveas was a famous Pakistani musician and teacher, he had been part of many Karachi based bands such as The Young Ones and The Captivators. 

He started his music career when he was 11 years old in the 1960s. He joined his first band in 1964 with other members from his church; Our Lady of Fatima Parish, called The Young Ones. They played for many festivals, at hotels and in their Church choir as well. He taught music at St.Patricks High School from 1970 to 1979, he then taught at Karachi Grammar School for 11 years, he then went back to teach at St.Patricks High School from 1993 till the end of his career. He not only taught music in schools but also helped youngsters in his community and outside to enhance their music skills, some of whom went on to form their own bands. 

Mr.Goveas, was an active member of the Christian community and not only worked untiringly in own Church; Our Lady of Fatima Parish, but also in the other Catholic Churches in Karachi. 

He was a highly talented, humble and hardworking individual and has left many happy memories behind in the hearts of the people he associated with, his students, colleagues, community members and all those who had the pleasure to listen to his music. A great loss indeed! 

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan (CAP) had the privilege to interview Mr.Goveas in 2012 as part of our Oral History Project. In this podcast we have paid a tribute to him by sharing a few excerpts from his interview. He read out a short memoir of his life and career for us which he wrote for an online wordpress called Legendary Musicians of Karachi (https://lmkonline.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/all-that-i-am-by-j-allan-goveas/). We had the honour to hear him play at his house; a short musical piece and also play a song that he often taught his students called, “ Pakistan Forever.”

A tribute to Joseph Allan Goveas (24th July 1949 - 14th September 2017)

Jamshed Marker was born in 1922 in Hyderabad Deccan, India. He went on to become one of Pakistan’s most accomplished diplomats in a long and successful career. In this podcast Mr. Marker speaks about the earthquake in 1935 that shook Quetta.

This podcast is in remembrance of the 8th October 2005 Earthquake that took place in the Northern Areas of Pakistan, today marks 12 years!

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast #231 - Jamshed Marker

The First Prime Minister of Pakistan, Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated on 16 October 1951 at Liaqat National Bagh, Rawalpindi. Today marks 66years for this event. 

Hear his eldest son, Ashraf Liaquat Ali Khan born on 3rd November 1937 in Simla, speak of his memories of this day.

Liaquat Ali Khan's 66th Death Anniversary. Podcast #232- Ashraf Liaquat Ali Khan

Mahmood Mushtaq was born on 15th December, 1931 in Allahabad, India. He spent much of his youth in Hyderabad Deccan before migrating to Pakistan in 1948.

In this podcast, he speaks about his memories of World War II.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast # 233 - Mahmood Mushtaq

Israil Ahmed Minai was born on 25th December, 1924 in Rampur, India. After migrating to Pakistan, he became a successful lawyer. In this podcast- on the 220th birth anniversary of Mirza Ghalib- he narrates tales passed on through his family about the famous poet. These tales were passed on through his paternal grandfather- Ameer Minai- who himself was a significant poet of the time in Rampur and a contemporary of Ghalib.

A Tribute to Mirza Ghalib (Podcast # 234 - Israil Minai)

Zeenat Haroon Rashid was born in 1929 in Karachi. She was 18 years old at the time of partition and
was the captain of the Women’s National Guard Movement. She passed away at the age of 89 on 08
April 2017.
In this podcast, she speaks about the National Guard and her involvement in politics during partition.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast # 235 -Zeenat Haroon Rashid

This podcast is second in the series of a Farewell 2017 podcast paying tribute to our interviewees who passed away in 2017. 

Joseph Alan Goveas was born on 24th July 1949 in Karachi. Mr. Goveas has lived in Karachi all his life and was a teacher at St. Patrick’s School in Karachi. He passed away in 2017. 

In this podcast, Mr. Goveas talks about his beloved city Karachi and about being hopeful for times when there was no intolerance to return to his city and his country, Pakistan.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast # 235 - Joseph Alan Goveas

Nahid Raza was born in Delhi before migrating to Pakistan. After spending some of her youth in Hyderabad, she settled in Karachi and went on to become a successful artist. In this podcast, she talks about how as a young girl, she would accompany her uncle Ali Imam (also an artist) and spend time with the famous artists of the day that helped mould her in the profession.

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan Podcast # 236 - Nahid Raza

#thisdayinhistory marks the 35th death anniversary of Ahmed Rushdi. Counted amongst the best Pakistani playback singers of the 50s and 60s.  Rushdi is remembered today for super hits like Bunder Road Se Kemari and Ko Ko Korina.

S.B. John a good friend and contemporary of Ahmed Rushdi, speaks about his memories of befriending and working with him in Karachi.

Sunny Benjamin John Podcast

The Citizens Archive of Pakistan (CAP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to cultural and historic preservation, operating in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. We seek to educate the community, foster an awareness of our nation's history and instill pride in Pakistani citizens about their heritage.

CAP has focused its attention on the tradition of oral storytelling in Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of such narratives in a dialogue on national identity. Our organization has three main goals: to preserve and provide access to the archive, to build and support educational programs, and to develop educational products based on the testimonies collected. We are passionate about sharing Pakistan's stories with the educational outreach programs and the thousands of visitors who attend our festivals, exhibitions. Our archives, exhibits and galleries change and grow as our understanding grows, and we endeavour to share our knowledge in original and exciting ways.

Our vision is to develop CAP as the foremost library and heritage center of Pakistani history, photography, culture, literature and historical documentation demonstrating the strength and spirit of Pakistan from the perspective of a citizen. Each exhibit and gallery will tell important stories about the country and provide an engaging and thought- provoking window into the nation's past, present and future.

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