Karachi’s iconic Pioneer Book House relocates after 80 years

Karachi’s iconic Pioneer Book House, a literary landmark for eight decades, is bidding farewell to its original home on MA Jinnah Road. The shop, which first opened in 1945, will soon relocate after the building’s new owner, a developer, has moved to reclaim the space, marking the end of an era for the city’s cultural heritage.

Author Maniza Naqvi who took the helm of breathing life into the store shared the news on her Facebook. For years, the bookstore operated under Karachi’s traditional pagri system, a rent-control arrangement that granted long-term tenancy rights. However, with developers buying up historic properties and reshaping the city’s commercial landscape, the family behind Pioneer Book House could no longer retain their location. Despite efforts to legally challenge the eviction, the court’s stay order could not halt the inevitable.

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Over the past nine years, Pioneer bookstore had experienced a revival, transforming into a cultural hub. It hosted art exhibitions, became a stop on Karachi’s Super Savari heritage tour, and even featured in the Karachi Biennale. The attached Ooppervallee Gallery showcased works by renowned artists like Akhtar Soomro and A.R. Nagori, fostering a space for creativity and conversation.

“But you know how it goes, money talks. And everything can be changed. The owners of Pioneer Book House have been told very nicely, to leave. The developer has been very gracious and kind and has not cemented up the entrance or just broken in and taken over as has been done to the other shops in his building. He has been kind enough to give a time limit notice to Pioneer Book House,” read Naqvi’s post.

Now, as the shop prepares to move, its caretakers are selling artwork and books to fund the transition. While the physical location changes, the spirit of Pioneer Book House endures. Though the move signifies the loss of a historic chapter, the bookstore’s legacy continues. Supporters hope its next location will preserve its charm—a testament to resilience in an ever-changing city.