This exhibition was held at VM Art Gallery and showcased the works of Zahabia Khozema. The artist focuses her work on Karachi’s public policies with a particular emphases on the demolition at Kauser Niazi Colony at Gujjar Nullah.

As a response NED University’s infrastructure Engineering and Development Department, the government started demolition near Gujjar Nullah in 2021 to expand the rainwater and sewerage drains as well as construct new roads. The aim was to improve and develop infrastructure in the area to positively impact the lives of those who reside there. The funding of this project was secured by World Bank, however, the houses that were recently demolished had existing leases, and the residents were responsible for paying utilities and taxes. Those impacted by demolition were not given alternative housing, and only a handful received financial compensation.

Through a variety of mediums the exhibition illustrates the broken urban infrastructure, the housing crisis, and the harsh and brutal impact of climate change on Karachi’s citizens. Through her work the artist forces the viewers to consider the personal and political causes and collective struggles faced by the marginalised communities who reside in these areas.

She hopes her exhibition will result in meaningful conversations and development of ideas and economic strategies that may help the people impacted.

Her work is poignant and thought provoking. It encourages dicourse and debate and pushes the viewers to see a side/class/community of Karachi that is often ignored and disregarded.