NARRATING UNEVEN DEVELOPMENT IN A RECENTLY FORMED NATION: A CRITICAL STUDY OF SHAMSIE’S KARTOGRPAHY

Abstract

Over the past few decades, Pakistani literature in English, especially women's narratives, has garnered significant attention and acclaim. Pakistani women’s narratives do address themes like women's place in the society, political and social issues, and exploitation of women and/or the weaker and vulnerable individuals. The present study aims to explore the social, economic and political exploitation of the minorities as depicted in the selected novel and weaker groups in a newly established country Pakistan using Hetcher’s view of Internal Colonialism. The novel delves into the intertwined lives of two friends, Karim and Raheen, as they navigate through the complexities of the city's history and their own emotions. The classification of Pakistanis, as depicted in the novel, into locals and Muhajirs leads to uneven development in society, potentially resulting in unrest or civil discord. The study is significant because it throws light on how the supremacy of a powerful ethnic group over the weaker one within the realm escorts a country towards a civil war. The study also discusses how the partition of 1971 destroyed national unity or intrinsic nationhood in Pakistan.