Karachi – Slaughterhouse, Lyari
Audio Stories
Peter Bernard
Faiza Peter
Mohan Lal
Photo Stories
65-year-old Mohan Lal Maheshwari belongs to a religious minority community and now lives in Art Chowk, Lyari. He worked as a social activist, primarily promoting the rights of other religious minority communities, living in the neighbourhood of Lyari and especially of those, living in Slaughterhouse.
For nearly a century, the Old Slaughterhouse in Karachi has served as a home for Hindu and Christian workers of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation. Though the original slaughterhouse building is gone, the residential colony continues to stand, offering refuge to some of the most marginalized members of our society.
The street in Lyari takes one to the gated entrance of the Slaughterhouse. The neighbourhood is separated from neighbouring colonies with a boundary wall.
The gated entrance of the Slaughterhouse separates this neighbourhood from the rest of Lyari
Tiny houses lined up the street in Slaughterhouse are in dire need of repairs. Life seems to regain normalcy, but the scars of gang wars remain.
A group of residents gathered to greet Mohan Lal and were very thrilled to see him there. Mohan is still a hope for so many of the Slaughterhouse residents.
The structure of the old torture cell and weapon depot of the warlords of the Lyari gang war can be seen behind this heap of garbage.
Old residents who returned to war-torn Slaughterhouse after police and rangers cleared the area in 2014 gathered to greet Mohan Lal. Mohan came back to the neighbourhood after years.
Mohan Lal looks at the old photographs of his family and reminisces about the times when they used to feel safe in Lyari
Children of a Hindu family do pooja in their home temple.
Mohan Lal is very proud to preserve and still practice the Maheshwari culture in his household. He is a role model for his children and grandchildren. He inspires and encourages them to pursue their passion.
Mohan sitting in his favourite corner of the home as this is the only place from where the sunlight and wind come in.
Mohan’s youngest son showed his parents the video of his older brother’s musical performance on national television. Mohan really feels proud of all these opportunities his children get despite living and growing in such difficult conditions and with limited exposure.
Old residents of Slaughterhouse, who managed to return, feel that the neighbourhood has changed forever since the incidents of October 2013. The essence and culture of Slaughterhouse is lost and it has become an alien place for those who lived here for ages.
Peter Bernard, ex-resident of Slaughterhouse and his wife, Faiza Peter express their grievances, holding Rangers accountable for a lack of protection from Lyari gangsters on the night of October 26, 2013
Peter kept a record of all incidents of violence and brutality by Lyari gangs and shared to contextualise that the problem goes back to as early as 2004 when he was targeted for standing for the rights of the residents of Slaughterhouse. He shares that the issue was all political and driven by the land mafia.
The newspaper story shares the grim picture of the displacement of 600 families of Slaughterhouse, even after months passed
Peter and Faiza, live with their 2 daughters in a one-bed apartment in an undisclosed location. It is almost 10 years since that unfortunate evening in Slaughterhouse, yet they fear for the security of their daughters and their lives.
Right in the middle of the crisis at Slaughterhouse, the gangsters kidnapped Peter’s married sister. She was gang raped by 5 men and the police took too long to file a First Inquiry Report (FIR) and to take action against those culprits
Peter Bernard was the former councillor of Slaughterhouse, Lyari. As the assistant engineer he has not been able to go to work, at the same position and for months, he was unable to send his children to school. The living conditions were precarious for many even when things looked normal.
Peter is trying to live a normal life but is still reeling from poor mental health conditions and gets nightmares of the time she spent in Slaughterhouse, Lyari. She is struggling to keep the memories of the good times she spent there and forgetting about the hell that broke loose there.
Faiza’s primary concern is the safety of her family, especially of her daughters. Even after a decade, she is paranoid about being followed and protecting herself and her daughters.
Slaughterhouse, situated within the Lyari Town Municipal Corporation of District South, Karachi, Pakistan, is a historically significant settlement primarily inhabited by religious minorities, including Christians and Hindus. This community profile delves into the challenges faced by these residents, including threats from Lyari gang warfare, violence, and forced displacement.
Established in 1916, Slaughter House was initially home to both Christian and Hindu families. However, over time, the population shifted to predominantly Christians (90%) and a smaller Hindu minority (10%). The majority of residents found employment within the lower ranks of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).
This community has endured a series of violent incidents, including attacks and gang warfare in the area, tragically involving gang rape, murders, and forced eviction. These events have left residents in a state of fear and insecurity. Even a decade after these incidents, the trauma lingers, with 59% of families unable to return due to fear. Only those who couldn't afford to live elsewhere have returned, making up 41% of the population. But many who struggle to make ends meet while living in rented houses still choose to stay away from the neighbourhood as they fear that it is still extremely uninhabited because of security threats.
A significant turning point occurred on October 26, 2013, when this peaceful neighbourhood was violently disrupted by Lyari gangsters. This diverse community, historically home to religious minorities, witnessed a horrifying attack resulting in injuries, deaths, and property damage. The incident instilled widespread fear and insecurity, prompting many residents to flee, fearing for their lives and those of their families, especially their daughters. Consequently, Slaughter House was emptied overnight.
The ongoing violence and instability wrought by Lyari gang warfare, colloquially known as the Peoples Aman Committee, forced the residents to seek refuge in various areas of Karachi, including Akhtar Colony, Ittehad Town, Essa Nagri, Korangi, Mehmoodabad, Baldia, Orangi, North Nizamabad, Surjani, Manzoor Colony, Korangi, Landhi, Malir, Drigh Road, Azam Basti, and more. The fear of harm and lack of security continue to discourage families from returning home.
This forced displacement has significantly impacted the livelihoods of affected families, leading to economic instability. Displaced children have missed out on education, and families have struggled to secure stable housing arrangements. Despite these challenges, the religious minority community of Slaughter House has demonstrated resilience and solidarity. They have relied on each other and sought refuge with friends and relatives in other parts of the city. However, they remain frustrated by the absence of effective intervention from government and law enforcement institutions. This has led to a breakdown of trust within the community.
The Slaughterhouse story exemplifies the profound challenges faced by religious minority communities in Pakistan, driven by conflict-induced displacement. It underscores the urgent need for improved security measures, stronger protection of minority rights, and support systems to ensure the safety, dignity, and livelihood of vulnerable populations. Despite calls for government action and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s concerns, the situation remains unresolved, highlighting the enduring plight of these conflict-displaced individuals.