Indian family returns from Pakistan raving about Karachi

How Karachi scores over Mumbai: The airport is better, the roads are pothole-free, and the people are warm, gracious and more polite, say the Vaziranis.

‘‘We want to share (with you all) just how warm the people of Pakistan are,’’ gushes Mala Vazirani (47) who along with husband Suresh runs Transasia Bio-Medical, a Saki Naka-based diagnostic company that exports to 40 countries.

On September 1, together with kids Nikhil and Niharika (twins, aged 13) and Vibhudi (10), the Vaziranis visited Pakistan for the first time. Usha Gandhi, wife of sitting MP and author Rajmohan Gandhi (grandson of the Mahatma) played chaperone. Pakistani architect Najeeb and fashion designer Nasra Omar’s ‘‘palatial old haveli’’ at Karachi served as home for five days. Direct contact with people from India going to Pakistan and people from Pakistan coming here, is important for a new page to turn in the history of this region. The Vaziranis’ visit made a statement there, as it does here Usha Gandhi .

Going on about the hospitality, love and warmth of the Pakistanis ‘‘whether rich or poor’’, Mala says she couldn’t help but compare Mumbai and Karachi throughout the stay. ‘‘Sorry to say this, but Mumbai seems poorer in comparison,’’ she smiles…