Metropole Hotel: A reflection of Karachi’s golden era

The Metropole Hotel isn’t just a building — it’s a symbol of Karachi’s vibrant past.

Built in 1951 by Parsi businessman Cyrus Minwalla and inaugurated by Iran’s Shah Reza Pahlavi, with Liaquat Ali Khan and Fatima Jinnah present, it marked the city’s global rise.

From hosting royalty like King Saud to legendary jazz nights with Dizzy Gillespie, the Metropole was a cultural beacon.

Its Samar nightclub, music floors, and menus (a 1960 lunch for Rs. 7.50) made it unforgettable.

Though its glory faded after the 1970s, the Metropole’s story still echoes Karachi’s lost charm. Nukta correspondent Shayan Saleem revisits its glamorous history.