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Pakistani diaspora

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Overseas Pakistanis
Total population
6,300,000
Approximately 3% of the Pakistani population
Regions with significant populations
 Saudi Arabia1,500,000+
 United Kingdom1,200,000+
 United Arab Emirates1,200,000+
 United States700,000+
 Canada307,000
 Italy100,000
 Kuwait100,000
 Oman85,000
 Qatar83,000
 Greece80,000
 France60,000
 Germany49,000
 Spain47,000
 Bahrain45,000
 Norway39,134
 Australia31,277
 Libya30,000
 Denmark21,642
 Netherlands19,408
Languages
English, Urdu, Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Saraiki, Balochi, other languages of Pakistan and the languages spoken in the respective country of residence.
Religion
Predominantly Islam (Sunni & Shia) with small numbers of Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism and Sikhism.

The Pakistani diaspora refers to overseas Pakistanis, who are Pakistani citizens that have migrated to another country, as well as people who are of Pakistani descent. According to the Pakistani Government, there are around 7 million Pakistani people living abroad with a vast majority of them residing in the Middle East, Europe and North America.[1] Pakistan ranks 10th in the world for remittances sent home in 2012 at $13 billion.[2][3]

Overseas Pakistani

A map showing the distribution and population of Pakistan diaspora by country.
Legend:

The term Overseas Pakistani is officially recognized by the Government of Pakistan. The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis was established in 2008 to exclusively deal with all the matters and affairs of the overseas Pakistanis such as attending to their needs and problems, intending schemes and projects for their welfare and working for resolution of their problems and issues. Overseas Pakistani workers are the second largest source of Foreign Exchange Remittances to Pakistan after exports and over the last several years, the foreign exchange remittances have maintained a steady rising trend, with a recorded increase of 21.8% from $6.4 million in 2007-08 to $7.8 million during 2008-09. In 2009-10, Pakistani sent home $9.4 billion, the 11th largest in the world.[4] By 2012, Pakistan increased its ranking to 10th in the world for remittances sent home at $13 billion per annum.[5][6]The Overseas Pakistani Division (OPD) was created in September 2004 within the Ministry of Labour and Manpower. Since 2004, it has recognized the importance of overseas Pakistanis and their contribution to the economy. Together with Community Welfare Attaches (CWAs) and the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), all three are improving the welfare of overseas Pakistanis. The division aims at providing better services to the overseas Pakistanis through improved facilities at airports, setting up suitable schemes in housing, education and health care. Its largest effort is facilitating the rehabilitation of returning overseas Pakistanis.

Overseas Pakistanis Foundation

The Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) was established July 1979, with its head office at Islamabad and regional offices in all provincial capitals as well as Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The objective of the OPF is to advance the welfare of the Pakistanis working or settled abroad and their families in Pakistan by identifying their problems and contributing to their solutions. These include health care, financial aid, foreign exchange remittance and education.[7]

OPF Schools

The Overseas Pakistanis Foundation operates more than 150 schools in 43 cities across Pakistan, offering preschool, primary, secondary and preparation for local SSC and the international GCE education. Most of its students opt to take the GCE O and AS/A Levels organized by the CIE of UCLES. It also has established international projects in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. The head office of the OFP school is located in Islamabad, administering the system through four main regional offices:

Foreign Community Welfare Attaches

Community Welfare Attaches (CWA's) are located in 18 cities around the world. There primarily function is to establish and maintain close contacts with the foreign firms who are in need of manpower for their ventures in different countries, and to aid in the welfare of overseas Pakistanis. CWA's are currently located in:[8]

National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP)

Main article: NADRA

The Computerized National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis, also called NICOP, was conceived by NADRA as a project by mutual resolve of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), the Ministry of Labour & Manpower, and the Interior Ministry. The scheme calls for the creation of a comprehensive database of Pakistanis who either work abroad or hold a dual nationality. The NADRA Ordinance envisages issuance of NICOPs to Pakistani workers, emigrants, citizens, or Pakistanis holding dual nationality, having been registered under the NADRA Ordinance. The ordinance entrusts NADRA with the task of registering the overseas Pakistanis. NICOP, in addition to providing the authenticity of the individual, allows the NICOP holder to visa-free entry to Pakistan.

Pakistan Origin Card (POC)

Like the NICOP, the Pakistan Origin Card (POC) is issued by NADRA to eligible overseas Pakistanis. However, the major difference between the two is that a POC is only issued to people of Pakistani origin, i.e., those who are citizens of other countries but have some Pakistani background including former nationals.[9] It cannot be issued to those with dual nationalities, with one being Pakistani, as the NICOP is meant for those individuals.[10]

Little Pakistan

Main article: Little Pakistan

"Little Pakistan" is a general name for an ethnic enclave populated primarily by Pakistanis or people of Pakistani ancestry (overseas Pakistani), usually in an urban neighborhood.

Returning Overseas Pakistanis

Millions of Pakistanis immigrated to various countries abroad during the 1970s and 1980s. Unlike European immigrants who settled permanently in the new world, many Pakistanis who immigrated abroad considered themselves to be sojourners, who left to earn money abroad but not to settle, or were students who intended to return to Pakistan when their degree programs were completed.

From The Middle East

Main article: Arabs in Pakistan

Since the inception of Pakistan in 1947, there has been a large population of Pakistanis in the Middle East, mainly in Saudi Arabia. However, since the 1990s, many of them have opted for countries like the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait. Pakistanis who immigrated to these countries or who were born in these countries tended to stay close to Pakistani culture. Many "International Pakistan Schools" were opened to cater for the large population and for them to study under the same boards as Pakistani students at home. As a result, those returning to Pakistan from the Middle East have found it much easier to adjust. Pakistanis from the Middle East can be found throughout the country today and these people are usually fluent in Arabic, Urdu, English and their regional language. They are most likely involved in trading, media, telecommunications and banking, Aviation.

From Europe

Main article: Britons in Pakistan

Since the 1990s, a large number of Pakistanis who settled in Europe have been returning to Pakistan. Those who were born in Europe have also maintained close links to Pakistani culture. However, there are some instances of children not learning Urdu while growing up or being accustomed to Pakistani culture. As a result, those who return from Europe do experience "culture shocks". Those returning from Norway can be mostly found in Kharian in the Punjab province, whereas those from northern England can be found in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (mainly Mirpur), Attock, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and upper Punjab (Rawalpindi).

From America

Main article: Americans in Pakistan
Main article: Canadians in Pakistan

Very small numbers of Pakistanis from Canada and the United States have historically returned to Pakistan. Although they frequently visit Pakistan during the summer and winter vacations, permanent settlement had not been popular amongst them until 2001. Since the September 11 terrorist attacks and the recent Financial crisis of 2007–2010, a large number of Pakistani Americans and Pakistani Canadians have begun to return. The population of returning expatriates from the Americas, who tend to have excellent credentials, has increased significantly due to new job opportunities in Pakistan.[11] Many from North America are found in the major cities of Pakistan, mainly Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi/Islamabad, Faisalabad and Peshawar. Large populations can also be found in smaller cities and towns, such as Sialkot. Those returning from North America have tended to find jobs easier in Pakistan and are involved in a wide scope of fields, primarily healthcare, engineering, law, banking, information technology, mass media and industry.

Population by country

Population of Pakistanis abroad, by country. [12]

Continent / Country Articles Overseas Pakistani Population
Asia 3,992,862
 Saudi Arabia Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia 1,500,000
 United Arab Emirates Pakistanis in the United Arab Emirates 1,200,000
 Bangladesh Stranded Pakistanis
Pakistanis in Bangladesh		 919,000
310
 Kuwait Pakistanis in Kuwait 100,000
 Oman Pakistanis in Oman 85,000
 Qatar Pakistanis in Qatar 52,000
 Bahrain Pakistanis in Bahrain 45,000
 Hong Kong Pakistanis in Hong Kong 20,000
 Afghanistan Pakistanis in Afghanistan 12,000
 Iran Pakistanis in Iran 11,500
 Japan Pakistanis in Japan 10,299[13]
 Malaysia Pakistanis in Malaysia 55,851[14]
 Jordan Pakistanis in Jordan 8,000[15]
 South Korea Pakistanis in South Korea 7,000
 Thailand Pakistanis in Thailand 1,980
 Singapore Pakistanis in Singapore 1,600
 Kyrgyzstan Pakistanis in Kyrgyzstan 1,500
 Philippines 1,000
 Israel Pakistanis in Israel 1,000
 Lebanon Pakistanis in Lebanon 700[16]
 Yemen Pakistanis in Yemen 700
 China Pakistanis in China 653
 Syria 600
 Kazakhstan 500
 Brunei Pakistanis in Brunei 500[17]
 Iraq Pakistanis in Iraq 456
 Indonesia Pakistanis in Indonesia 400
 Sri Lanka Pakistanis in Sri Lanka 369
 Turkmenistan Beluch 243
 Azerbaijan 200
 Maldives 100
 Uzbekistan 75
 Myanmar Pakistanis in Burma 51
   Nepal 46
 Tajikistan 30
 Vietnam 25
 Mongolia 15[18]
 Palestine 10
Europe 2,200,000[19]
 United Kingdom British Pakistanis,
Pakistanis in London		 1,200,000[19]
England: 1,100,000 (2010)[20]
Scotland: 90,000 (2010)[21]
Wales: 9,000 (2010)[22]
Northern Ireland: 1000 (2010)[23]
 Italy Pakistanis in Italy 100,000
 Greece Pakistanis in Greece 80,000
 Spain Pakistanis in Spain 70,000 [24]
 France Pakistanis in France 60,000
 Germany Pakistanis in Germany 49,000
 Norway Pakistani Norwegians 39,134[25]
 Denmark Pakistanis in Denmark 21,642(est.2012)[26]
 Netherlands Pakistanis in the Netherlands 19,408(est.2012)[27]
 Belgium Pakistanis in Belgium 14,500
 Turkey Pakistanis in Turkey 12,000
 Ireland Pakistanis in Ireland 5,757
 Sweden Pakistani Swedish 5,250
 Portugal 5,000
 Austria Pakistanis in Austria 3,500
  Switzerland Pakistanis in Switzerland 2,415
 Ukraine Pakistanis in Ukraine 1,612
 Russia Pakistanis in Russia 1,500
 Cyprus 1,100
 Romania 710
 Finland 525
 Poland 180
 Hungary 45
 Bosnia and Herzegovina 16
 Bulgaria 16
 Moldova 10
 Serbia 2
 Croatia 1
Others 1620
Americas 1,035,838
 United States Pakistani American 700,000[28][29]
 Canada Pakistani Canadian 300,000 [30]
 Cuba Pakistani Cuban 1000[31]
 Peru 250
 Chile 200
 Brazil 180
 Mexico 150
 Bolivia 50
 Argentina 30
 Paraguay 12
 Colombia 10
 Suriname 3
Africa 38,249
 Libya Pakistanis in Libya 30,000
 South Africa Pakistanis in South Africa 2,500
 Kenya 1,862
 Tanzania 950
 Egypt Pakistanis in Egypt 700 (2011)[32][33]
 Zimbabwe 400
 Nigeria 292
 Sudan 200
 Botswana 160
 Ghana 152
 Niger 62
 Mauritius 43
 Morocco 38
 Algeria 34
 Djibouti 30
 Senegal 26
 Comoros 11
 Madagascar 11
 Seychelles 5
Others 773
Oceania 36,277
 Australia Pakistani Australian 31,277[34]
 New Zealand Pakistani New Zealander 5,000[35]
Total Overseas Pakistani Population 6,803,226

See also

Diasporas of Pakistani ethnic groups

Other

References

  1. ^ http://archives.dawn.com/archives/142435
  2. ^ http://www.overseaspakistanis.net/category/op-news/page/2/
  3. ^ http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTPROSPECTS/Resources/334934-1199807908806/Top10.pdf
  4. ^ http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTPROSPECTS/Resources/334934-1199807908806/Top10.pdf
  5. ^ http://www.overseaspakistanis.net/category/op-news/page/2/
  6. ^ http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTPROSPECTS/Resources/334934-1199807908806/Top10.pdf
  7. ^ OPF Official Website
  8. ^ Government of Pakistan, Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment
  9. ^ POC NADRA Retrieved 23 January 2010
  10. ^ NICOP Pakistan High Commission, UK Retrieved 23 January 2010
  11. ^ "Returning Pakistanis praise new lives". BBC News. 2008-07-06. Retrieved 2010-05-21.
  12. ^ Year Book, 2004–2005 (PDF), Islamabad: Ministry of Labour, Manpower, and Overseas Pakistanis, retrieved 2009-09-19
  13. ^ 法務省: 登録外国人統計
  14. ^ Iftikhar A. Khan, Overseas Pakistanis’ vote: ECP, Nadra for caution, Dawn, 30th March, 2013.
  15. ^ Middle East uprising: Pakistanis safe in Syria, Jordan despite revolt, officials say, By Saba Imtiaz, Express Tribune, Published: March 29, 2011
  16. ^ "INTERVIEWS OF AMBASSADOR" Embassy of Pakistan in Lebanon web site
  17. ^ Pakistan navy men visit BT
  18. ^ Censuses
  19. ^ a b "The Pakistani Diaspora in Europe and Its Impact on Democracy Building in Pakistan" Paper at Idea
  20. ^ Pakistanis in England in 2007
  21. ^ Pakistanis in Scotland
  22. ^ Pakistanis in Wales
  23. ^ Pakistanis in Northern Ireland
  24. ^ [1]
  25. ^ Immigration and immigrants
  26. ^ Danish Institute of Statistic http://www.statistikbanken.dk/FOLK1
  27. ^ http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/publication/?DM=SLEN&PA=37325eng&D1=a&D2=a&D3=0&D4=0&D5=3-4,28,84,139,145,156,210,225,233&D6=a,!0-8&LA=EN&HDR=G2,G3,T,G1&STB=G5,G4&VW=T
  28. ^ http://islamabad.usembassy.gov/pr-10061601.html
  29. ^ http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_SF1_QTP8&prodType=table {{citation}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  30. ^ [Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada - http://www.asiapacific.ca/data/people/demographics_dataset1_bycity.cfm Population by Ethnic Origin]
  31. ^ "THE PLIGHT OF PAKISTANI MEDICAL STUDENTS IN CUBA" September 17, 2009, Overseas Pakistani Friends
  32. ^ Egypt: India and Pakistan move to help nationals, BBC News South Asia, 31/Jan/2011
  33. ^ Pakistan nationals in Egypt are safe: Basit, OneIndia News, January 30, 2011
  34. ^ "Migration Australia 2009-10" Australian Government web site
  35. ^ "Pakistan: Living On Borrowed Time" 29 December 2007, Scoop News
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