Boat Basin

Boat Basin (Urdu: بوٹ بیسن ‎) is located in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.

The area got its name from the lake (which is part of Karachi mangrove forests) which has been a favorite boating place. Later on as the city got bigger the lake clear waters have changed to the today brown waters and the boating has ceased to be. The restaurants have been originally built to serve those who came for boating. Boat Basin has the most trendy restaurants and considered one of the main food streets in Karachi. Today the street is thriving with dozens of restaurants, out of which some are open non-stop. It is the most frequent eat-out place of Karachi for the middle-class. The prime time is between 10 pm and 1 am. Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park is also located in Boat Basin.

There are several ethnic groups in the area including Muhajirs, Punjabis, Sindhis, Kashmiris, Seraikis, Pakhtuns, Balochis, Memons, Bohras Ismailis, etc. About 99% of the population is Muslim.

The Boat Basin, the water of which was once naturally replenished with fresh seawater because of its proximity to the sea is gradually drying up and turning into a cesspool due to unplanned constructions in the area blocking its access to the sea.