It is an administrative district of Karachi Division created in 1996 by bifurcation of District Karachi East. According to the 2023 Pakistani census, District Malir had a population of 2,419,736 (2.4 million).

Before the independence of Pakistan, there were small villages of Sindhi and Kalmati Baloch in Gadap Town and Malir Town of modern Karachi. Now both towns have developed as the suburbs of the city because of the urban sprawl.

Malir has been regarded in history as the countryside of Karachi City due to its open atmosphere and lush green farms.