Pakistan Peoples Party leader Sharmila Faruqi recently made a remark about Karachi that sparked public attention. She said that living in Karachi compares to living in Paris, during a light entertainment TV show.
The comment was made during a private television program segment. Participants were asked to complete sentences. When asked, “Living in Karachi is like ___,” she paused briefly and replied that it compares to living in Paris.
Her statement received laughter and applause from guests on the show. Former cricketers and other participants reacted positively to the light-hearted comparison.
In another moment during the program, she spoke about her personal interests. She said she enjoys watching television dramas. She also said she might leave politics one day, but she will never stop watching dramas.
Her comments quickly spread on social media, where users debated the comparison. Many users discussed whether Karachi truly compares to global cities like Paris in terms of lifestyle.
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) 2025 Livability Index, Karachi is ranked among the least liveable cities in the world. The report provides a broader context that also compares cities globally based on quality of life.
The index evaluated 173 cities worldwide. Karachi ranked 170th, making it the lowest-ranked city in Pakistan on the list. Only a few cities, including Dhaka, Tripoli, and Damascus, ranked lower.
The EIU report assesses urban living standards based on five key categories. These include stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. More than 30 indicators are used to calculate final scores.
At the top of the ranking, Copenhagen was listed as the most liveable city in the world. It achieved nearly perfect scores across most categories.
While the official report presents a different picture, Faruqi’s comment reflects a personal and informal perspective. It shows how public figures sometimes use comparisons in a symbolic or emotional way.
The discussion continues online as people react to her statement. Some agree with her sentiment, while others strongly disagree with how Karachi compares to global cities.
The contrast between personal opinion and global rankings has once again sparked debate about urban living standards in Pakistan.
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