Unveiling Urban Pakistan: Postmodernism in Karachi, You’re Killing Me!

Abstract

This research critically analyzes Saba Imtiaz’s novel Karachi, You’re Killing Me! to explore the postmodern paradigm shift within urban Pakistan, particularly among the female working class. The study investigates the subversion of metanarratives, focusing on themes such as consumerism, commodity fetishism, and the power-knowledge nexus. Drawing from Lyotard’s theory in The Postmodern Condition, Foucault’s ideologies on power and knowledge, and Jameson’s views on consumerism, the protagonist’s actions are scrutinized to reveal the postmodern landscape. Employing textual analysis, the findings highlight Imtiaz’s portrayal of Karachi’s shifting societal norms, where Western influences challenge traditional Pakistani values and religious constraints. The study recommends further exploration of postmodern impacts on urban societies, suggesting strategies for balancing cultural preservation with evolving freedoms while addressing the complex dynamics of globalization and identity formation.