REPRESENTATION OF KARACHI AS A DARK CITY: A RE-ORIENTALIST READING OF SABA IMTIAZ’S KARACHI, YOU’RE KILLING ME!

Abstract

This research article explores the representation of Karachi in Saba Imtiaz’s Karachi, You’re Killing Me! through the theoretical framework of Re-orientalism. Orientalism refers to how the West depicts the East as chaotic, violent, and unstable; Re-orientalism explains how the Eastern writers portray their view of the East. Themes of urban chaos, violence, and political instability draw clear parallels to Western portrayals of Eastern cities by emphasizing the clash between locals and global perceptions. This research paper seeks to understand whether the portrayal of Karachi challenges or endorses the Western perception of the East, contributing to a wide discussion on the representation of post-colonial urban cities in Pakistani literature. Countering the Orientalist stereotypical representation of Karachi.