Lyari River

The Lyari River, once a lifeline for early settlements, shaped the geography and economy of pre-modern Karachi. Flowing into the Arabian Sea near Kolachi, it provided freshwater access and helped sustain agriculture and fishing communities.

Settlements near its banks were protected from floods by natural elevation and remained critical during the city’s early maritime expansion. Although urbanization has changed its landscape drastically, Lyari River remains historically significant and is central to understanding Karachi’s evolution from a fishing village to a coastal metropolis.