Karachi W-11 bus now a star attraction at Melbourne museum

AUSTRALIA: Known to be one of Karachi’s star attraction “Karachi W11” has now rightfully taken its place as a permanent exhibit at the Melbourne Museum of Australia.

Resting in the workshop was an old, somewhat rusty, metal structure that had been running on Melbourne tracks since 1978. After 28 years of serving commuters, the tram was due to retire in 2006.

According to SBS report, Wajid Ali and his fellow craftsmen worked tirelessly for months to add the “Pakistani touch” to the seemingly lifeless tram.

Melbourne academic, Mick Douglas, was tasked with developing a project with artisans of current and former Commonwealth nations as part of the cultural festival.

Mr Douglas contacted Ms. Duriya Kazi, Head of Department of Visual Studies, at the University of Karachi to get some assistance on the project.

Ms. Kazi then referred Mr. Douglas to Mr. Ali and Chamak Patti Wala’s who specialize in vehicle decorations. It was then the work on the project practically began.

According to the report, it took a period of three months, and a team comprising 15 men working day and night, to prepare all the material in Karachi. It was then moved to the Preston workshop in Melbourne.

The W11 was then ready as a new bride for its launch. The title given to the Karachi W11 Tram was ‘Pyar Zindagi Hai – Love is life’.

The tram then completed a course of 16 days around the City Circle route, hosting over 80,000 people. The passengers were given a souvenir ticket which had traditional truck art poetry written on it.

The article was originally published by SBS Radio