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Bengalis in Pakistan

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Bengalis in Pakistan
পাকিস্তানি বাঙালি
Total population
2,000,000 (2021)[1]
Regions with significant populations
Mainly in Karachi
Languages
Bengali (native) · Sindhi (provincial), Urdu (national) · English (Pakistani English)
Religion
Predominantly Sunni Islam, Hinduism (small minority)
Related ethnic groups
Bengalis, Bangladeshis, Bengali Muslims, Bengali Hindus

Bengalis in Pakistan are ethnic Bengali people who had lived in either West Pakistan or East Pakistan prior to 1971 or live in present-day Pakistan.[2] Most Pakistani Bengalis, are bilingual speaking both Urdu and Bengali and are mainly settled in Karachi. Bengalis that arrived in Pakistan before 1971 have now assimilated with the Urdu-speaking people in Karachi.[citation needed]

Despite the historical fact that Bangladesh was formerly East Pakistan, the term 'Pakistani Bengali' is now no longer popularly used. However, a large population of nearly 2 million exists.[3] The majority of Bengali residents in Pakistan are denied the right to vote, effectively excluding them from local politics. Consequently, local leaders often overlook their basic needs.

The absence of strong bilateral communication between the two nations prevents Pakistani Bengalis from visiting relatives in Bangladesh or sending financial support. Local employers practice hiring Bangladeshis because their charges for work are lower than local Pakistanis.[4] Their lack of citizenship documentation makes them vulnerable to exploitation by employers. Additionally, the absence of a birth registration certificate (referred to as a B-form) has obstructed the education of many and, without a Computerised National ID Card (CNIC), barred them from pursuing high-paying job opportunities.[5]

History

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Pre-1947

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The founding members of the Pakistani Bengali community were early migrants from East Bengal who arrived in Sindh during the early 20th century. This community of early Bengali settlers assimilated into Pakistani culture and adopted Urdu or became bilingual Bengali speakers.

1947-1971

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After Pakistan's independence in 1947, a large influx of Bengalis arrived in Karachi from East Pakistan to West Pakistan. In 1971, some Bengalis opted to return to the newly independent Bangladesh while others opted to remain in Pakistan.

Post-1971

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Thousands of East Pakistan Bengalis were living in West Pakistan before the 1971 war and Bangladeshi immigrants arrived in Pakistan right after their war against the same country. These Bengalis were Pakistan supporters, however, due to the political climate of the war they were not socially accepted or granted citizenship of Pakistan.[6] By 1995, continuous migration of Bangladeshis crossed the 1,500,000 mark. During the administration of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, members of the political party became concerned with the large Bangladeshi migrant population, afraid they could become the second largest group in Karachi after the Muhajir people and disturb sensitive demographics. Crime was also becoming a rising concern. Accordingly, Bhutto ordered a crackdown and deportation of Bangladeshi immigrants. Benazir Bhutto's action strained and created tensions in Bangladesh–Pakistan relations, with Khaleda Zia, who was in power in Dhaka during the time, refusing to accept the deportees and reportedly sending two planeloads back towards Pakistan and Muslim political parties in Pakistan criticising Bhutto and dubbing the crackdown as anti-Islamic. She was ultimately forced to abandon the order.[3][7]

In 2021, it was reported that over two million Bangladeshis illegally resided in Pakistan. The Bangladeshi government has refused to accept refugees because it is government policy to not accept citizens who left the country illegally.

In 2024, the Pakistan Rangers caught at least one Bangladeshi crossing into the country illegally from the eastern border.[8]

Demographics

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According to Shaikh Muhammad Feroze, chairman of the Pakistani Bengali Action Committee, over 200 settlements of Bengali-speaking people exist in Pakistan (mainly in Sindh) of which 132 are in Karachi while other smaller communities exist in Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Tando Adam and Lahore.[9] There are numerous Bengali colonies in Karachi, often called "Little Bangladesh" (or East Pakistan Colony in memorandum),[10] such as Machar Colony, Musa Colony and Chittagong Colony. Colorful Bengali signboards, Bhashani caps, lungis and kurtas are often seen in these areas of Karachi and remain unique.[10] The Chittagong Colony has a bazaar, which is famous throughout Pakistan as the center for Dhaka cloth.[11] In more recent times, the Bengali population has seen a decline as the journey from Bangladesh is dangerous and crosses the tense India-Pakistan border.[12][13] Furthermore, given the tense ethnic rivalries and lack of social acceptance in Pakistan, Bengalis have now been migrating elsewhere.[13] Instances of Bengali Pakistanis being denied access to essential public services, such as hospitals and clinics, are frequently reported. Several cases have emerged where Bengalis, despite possessing official Pakistani National Identity Cards (NIC), were rejected by hospitals and denied medical assistance solely due to their Bengali heritage.[14]

Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Stateless and helpless: The plight of ethnic Bengalis in Pakistan". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022. Ethnic Bengalis in Pakistan – an estimated two million – are the most discriminated ethnic community.
  2. ^ Karim, Naimul (6 July 2018). "The struggle to return home". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 10 July 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021. It's difficult to state exactly how many Bengalis reside in Pakistan. Various reports however suggest that the figure can vary from around 7 to 20 lakhs, with most of them living in Karachi. Many of these Bangladeshis had found their way into Pakistan in the mid-80s looking for work.
  3. ^ a b Rahman, B. (4 February 2003). "Indo-Bangladesh Standoff". South Asia Analysis Group. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ "Illegal Immigrants on the Subcontinent - Migration News | Migration Dialogue".
  5. ^ Hasan, Rakib Al. "Bengalis in Pakistan: A neglected community crying for recognition". South Asia Monitor. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Bangladeshi immigrants in Pakistan find it hard to go home". Nikkei Asian Review.
  7. ^ "Five million illegal immigrants residing in Pakistan". The Express Tribune. 16 January 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
  8. ^ "Rangers nabs Bangladeshi crossing border into Pakistan from India". 10 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Fringe Pakistan: Bengali-speaking Pakistanis demand right to vote". The Express Tribune. 10 March 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2016. Shaikh Muhammad Feroze, the chairman of the committee, said during a press conference on Friday that political parties and the government should acknowledge the sacrifices of their ancestors. 'We live in Sindh and feel proud to be called Sindhis rather than Bengalis. We appeal to Sindhi nationalists and Sindhis to help us in our struggle,' he added. He said that Bengali-speaking people were not given educational rights as they did not possess national identity cards. 'Our children can't get an education after matriculation because colleges ask for the identity cards but the National Database Registration Authority has never accepted us as Pakistani citizens.' Shaikh said that over three million Bengalis and Biharis were grateful to the government for accepting them as Pakistani citizens. 'We postponed a hunger strike planned for 25 March after the government made decisions,' he added. 'We can go on a hunger strike, if our rights are not given.' He claimed that there were 200 settlements of Bengali-speaking people across the country, including 132 in Karachi. They populate different parts of Pakistan, including Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Tando Adam and Lahore.
  10. ^ a b Tohid, Owais; Mahmud, Arshad (29 November 1995). "Homeless in Karachi". Outlook. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  11. ^ Naqvi, Abbas (17 December 2006). "Falling back". Daily Times. Archived from the original on 9 October 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2010.
  12. ^ Bloch, Hannah (25 September 2000). "You Can't Get There From Here". Time Asia.
  13. ^ a b Refugee Review Tribunal, Australia. "RRT Research Response" (PDF). Refworld.org.
  14. ^ Hasan, Rakib Al. "Bengalis in Pakistan: A neglected community crying for recognition". South Asia Monitor. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  15. ^ "Renowned music composer Robin Ghosh passes away". The News International.
  16. ^ "Shabnam biography, complete biography of Actresses Shabnam". pak101.com.

Further reading

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