As traces of Pakistani megacity's past vanish, flamboyant pink palace endures

FILE - Mohatta Palace, which was built in 1920s and has since been turned into a museum, in Karachi, Pakistan, May 24, 2024. FILE - Motorcyclists drive on a road with old buildings in downtown Karachi, Pakistan, Aug. 29, 2024.

Stained glass windows, a sweeping staircase and embellished interiors make Mohatta Palace a gem in Karachi, a Pakistani megacity of 20 million people. Peacocks roam the lawn and the sounds of construction and traffic melt away as visitors enter the grounds.