Zaibunnisa Street


Zaibunnisa Street, still sometimes referred to by its former name Elphinstone Street , is a thoroughfare in central Karachi, Pakistan that courses through Saddar, the city's colonial-era commercial centre It was renamed after Zaib-un-Nissa Hamidullah, a Pakistani journalist and feminist, in 1970.

History

The road was initially named Elphinstone Street in honour of Mountstuart Elphinstone, the first British ambassador to Afghanistan who also played a vital role in defeating the Maratha Empire. It used to be one of the most prestigious shopping areas in Karachi before the newly-built shopping malls in the suburban areas of Karachi were built from the 1980s onwards. Zaibunnisa Street now is known for having a huge number of watch, clock and jewelry shops, large clothing stores for women and men, as well as shoe stores.

Route

Zaibunnisa Street begins at Garden Square - the point at which it intersects with Muhammad Ali Jinnah Road. From there, it courses south, first intersecting with Castle Street near the Brooks Memorial Church. From there it passes Price Street near Jehangir Park and intersects with Preedy Street. It then enters the central part of Saddar, where it is lined with several heritage buildings. Going south, it intersects with Hale Street in Bohra Bazaar, Albert Street, Woodburn Street, Parr Street, Clarke Street, Dundass Street, Blenken Street, before ending at Inverarirty Road. From there, it continues south as Fatima Jinnah Street towards Civil Lines.

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