Travel in the vocabulary of Karachi's affluent and upper middle-class is to go abroad, mostly to places like Dubai where they spend their time in the malls shopping. Ask them where they have been in Pakistan and they will tell you Swat, Murree, Bhurban. Of course they have also been to places like Lahore and Multan but it is usually to visit friends or attend a wedding. The historic sites are ignored. Ask them if they have seen their own province. Unless they were born in Larkana they probably have not seen Moen jo Daro. Unless they hail from Jamshoro they have not seen Ranikot, the largest fort in the world, nor Kirthar National Park. As for the rest of us who have to eke out a decent living on small income, travel means going from home to workplace and back, where along the road the sites to see are the gorgeous billboards with beautiful female and handsome male models advertising fabrics, mobile phones, TV soaps and franchise foods.
I do not know what to call this crass attitude, but you cannot call it travel culture. Not by a long shot. Karachi's basic culture is money-related. Those who have it, flaunt it, boast about their travels abroad and the fancy things they bought. The have-nots think if they can save up for Hajj it's a big thing. Hajj is probably the only overseas travel experience they will ever have. But not to see Pakistan, discover for one's self the natural wonders, archaeological sites and historic places with which this country abounds is, in actual fact, to ignore the physical identity of our existence. Nothing is done to promote sightseeing Pakistan by her own citizens.
It is not impossible for any economic class of people to go see their country. We need to develop this culture. It will take philanthropy, organisation and enthusiasm. If we depend on only Sindh Tourism Development Corporation, or the tourism organisation of Punjab and Khyber Pukhtunkhaw (Balochistan does not have organised tourism) we might as well stay at home. The reason is that our tourism is non-existent. Sure there are these organisations which occasionally put in an advertisement in the newspapers to tell us what all they offer by way of sites to see, transport and hotels. But there is no effort to motivate Pakistanis to see their country.
Gujarat and Maharashtra are members of India's 'rich club'. This club also constitutes states such as Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu and Karnatka. The people, from government school teachers, to school and college students, to the rich and mighty, are well-travelled. They have seen most, if not all, of their country. How is this possible? For one thing, they have excellent rail and road transport. For another, large groups can charter transport, which reduces the price per ticket to about one-tenth the original fare. Then there are state-run rest-houses set up in every part of the country where there are places worth visiting. People sleep in large halls. There are also double-bed rooms for husband and wife which are slightly pricy, but not pricy in the sense of costing an arm and a leg. You have to be a citizen of the state running the rest house, say, if you are Gujarati no matter if you are Hindu or Muslim you can use the facility. The food is vegetarian and costs just a few rupees. The tourism department does not organise cheap travel. Philanthropists bare a most of the expenses. In short, it is treated as a social service to fellow citizens who would otherwise be unable to afford travelling.
Karachi's wealthy people are very generous, but I do not think travel is their idea of philanthropy. They spend money on orphanages, feeding the poor and such conventional types of generosities. If they themselves are not attracted to see Pakistan, why will they encourage the fellow citizen with average-income to enjoy a holiday to see Pakistan?
The poor and lower middle-class do move about, but it is to go on some saint's Urs (remembrance Day). The idea of cultural travel can be developed on the lines of Urs pilgrimage. If you have been to Bhitshah for the Urs of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai you will see hordes of people occupying the large hall to the left of the mazar. At every shrine there is also a kitchen called a 'langar' where food is distributed free (paid for by donations of the rich and devout). Large tents are also set up in which the malangs (members of the Sufi order) use as their resting place.
It is love and devotion which brings the poorest of the poor and the mighty rich to the shrine of the Sufi saint. Without love and enthusiasm to know your country there will never be a Pakistan travel culture. I have heard the stupidest excuses from people who can afford to travel within the country. 'Its too hot,' say people who have trudged through the hot desert in Egypt to see the pyramids. 'So what if Ranikot is the world's largest fort, I'm not interested,' say those who boast they have walked on the Great Wall of China. So please do not make silly excuses. Be Pakistani, see Pakistan.