These Decades Old Photos of Pakistan Are a Trip Down Memory Lane

A powerful image can take us back in time and also give us better understanding of who we are and where we come form. Vintage photographs can be a voyage of journey and they show so much of how everything looked like back in the days. For some it can bring back many memories of the ‘good old days.’

Today we have compiled the best vintage photos from some of the major cities of Pakistan to show what they looked like.

1. Messy Gate, Rawalpindi in 1970s

2. Frere Hall, Karachi in 1952

3. Outside Dean’s Hotel, Peshawar in 1963

4. Faletti’s Hotel, Lahore in 1950s

5Û” Lahore Railway Station 1886

6. CDA Office, Islamabad

7. Teen Talwar Chowk, Karachi in 1974

8. Khyber Intercontinental Hotel (PC), Peshawar, 1978

9. Railway Lines in Karachi, 1979

10. Regal Chowk, Quetta, 1930s

11. Metropole Hotel, Karachi, 1960’s

12. Tomb of Allama Iqbal, Lahore, 1969

13. Bab-e-Khyber in 1970

14. Bunder Road, Karachi, 1960

15. National Bank, Karachi, 1970s

Did we miss any famous vintage photographs? Let us know in the comments below!


  • It looks like the train engines haven’t changed since the 70’s, except for a new, duller, paint.

  • In that Khyber Intercontinental click, there’s a Western family posing for a photo. I remember even until 2004-2005 Americans(UN etc employees) used to jog in the streets of University Town, Peshawar. Our rulers’ absurd policies have destroyed our image internationally and have vanished tourism completely.

    • Exactly, even touring teams from New Zealand, South Africa and England were visiting bazaars and streets without any fear up to 2006.

    • Absurd policies? Are you forgetting the massive amounts of terrorism and bomb blasts in the city? I know even Pakistanis who were forced to flee Peshawar because it became too unsafe. The real blame is on the Taliban and all of their sympathizers who sit and support them from madrassahs in the cities. The only absurd policy was by the army to arm them in the first place and allow their support network to grow.

      • Yep bro, we both are almost on the same page. I guess it was Ziaul Haq who started it, and Musharraf supported and expanded it. But none of our so called esteemed-leaders took care of that, they even made it worse. I somewhat support PTI as it’s the only ray of hope left, but sometimes I get angry on IK for him to be so afraid to talk about terrorism or to take any viable actions against it.

        • LOL @ “but sometimes I get angry on IK for him to be so afraid to talk about terrorism or to take any viable actions against it.”

          I would like to know what you do when you are angry on Imran ? :p

          Do you remember he wasn’t just afraid to talk but didn’t even supported government’s actions against terrorism.

    • It will be good to give this credit to military rulers for destroying image of Pakistan locally and internationally.

  • Teen Talwar Chowk has definitely changed a lot. Cant say the same for Frere Hall though :P

    Anyways, amazing snaps.

  • Karachi used to be a cleaner and smart city by the looks of these pics. and now?

  • A FOOL LEARNS OF HIS OWN MISTAKES WHEREAS A WISE OF OTHERS AND GHANDHI SAID “THERE ARE VERY FEW WHO ARE WISE REST ARE OTHERWISE AND NO ONE COULD BE IN BETTER POSITION THAN OURSELVES TO DECIDE AFTER 30-40 YEARS OF INDISCRIMINATE SUFFEREINGS WHOM WE DESTROYED AND WHO DESTROYED US. WE MANAGED TO SUCIDE BOMBING OUR EXCELLENT PAST AND STILL ARE BEING HINDERED TO PROGRESS BY THE FORCES WHO MATTERED IN THIS COUNTRY ALL ALONG. PLEASE REMEMBER WE JUST DAYS AWAY OF THE 70 YEARS CELEBRATIONS OF INDEPENDENCE.

  • In Picture Se EK Bat to Sabit Hoti Hai Pehly K Logo Ne Greenery Ko Support Kiya tha :
    Aj k Log Green Painting & Green Bus Ko Support Karte hai

    • Ab Karachi mai nahe aa rahe to masla kya ha…Karachi walon ny konsi plantation drive complete kar li ha aaj tak?


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