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Pakistanis in Bahrain

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Pakistanis in Bahrain
Regions with significant populations
Manama
Languages
Urdu, Punjabi, Balochi, Pashto, Gulf Arabic, Saraiki
Religion
Sunni Islam and Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Indians in Bahrain

Pakistanis in Bahrain comprise Pakistani people living as expatriates or immigrants in Bahrain and their locally born descendants. The Overseas Pakistanis Foundation estimates that the population of Pakistanis in Bahrain is between 50,000 and 60,000. The Pakistani community maintains two schools, the Pakistan School, Bahrain (managed by parents elected board, Patron in chief- Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Pakistan) and Pakistan Urdu School (private school under Asgharali perfume company) which educates community youth.

For the welfare of the Pakistani community in Bahrain, the Pakistan Club has been established in Manama, which holds numerous events such as Iftar Nights and National Day celebrations.[5][6]

Profession and integration

Pakistanis have been in Bahrain since 1920. The first group to arrive to Bahrain were the people who came with the army of Al-Khalifa who were majority Balochs. The British Army also sent its most reliable force from Punjab and India to Bahrain. The presence of Pakistanis in Bahrain dates back to 1950. Bahrain is the first Arab country to grant citizenship to people who had served its country. A Pakistani can be granted citizenship after working for the government for 25 years. Up to 30,000 Pakistanis are thought to have obtained Bahraini citizenship.[7]

Service in Bahrain

Majority of Pakistanis work in public protection and the army to help provide security for Bahrain. The young educated people tend to put there effort in helping Bahrain's economy, which has been hit severely by the ongoing protests.[8] The protests have seen many Pakistanis injured by mobs.[9] Up to two Pakistani policemen and two Pakistani civilians have been killed by angry Shia protesters.[10]

The Pakistan army affiliated Fauji Foundation and Pakistan navy affiliated Bahria Foundation[10] have also been recruiting Pakistani military personnel as for the Bahrain National Guard (a paramilitary body). Following the 2011 Bahraini protests, advertisements for additional 800[11]-1,000[12] recruits had been advertised in Pakistani newspapers. This is in addition to at least (conservative estimate) 2,000 Pakistanis already serving in Bahrain security forces (military and police force).[13] According to an estimate by the Wall Street Journal, Pakistanis contribute at least up to 7,000 of the 25,000 strong Bahrain police force.[14] In total, almost 10,000 Pakistanis contribute to various Bahrain security forces.[4] The Pakistan army and Bahrain National Guard are also known to maintain strong ties.[15]

Military presence

Pakistan maintains a two battalion strong military base in Bahrain, comprising some 1300 men and an armour squadron.[citation needed]

Education

Pakistan Urdu School educates Pakistanis in Bahrain.

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ^ Pakistani workers seek escape after Bahrain attacks, Dawn News, 22 Mar 2011
  2. ^ Bahrain ensures security to Pakistanis: FO Spokesperson, Pakistan Times, retrieved 22 Mar 2011
  3. ^ Iftikhar A. Khan, Overseas Pakistanis’ vote: ECP, Nadra for caution, Dawn, 30 March 2013.
  4. ^ a b Bahrain agrees to augment defence ties with Pakistan, By Baqir Sajjad Syed, 30 Mar 2011, Dawn
  5. ^ [1], Pakistan Club Celebrates National Day.
  6. ^ [2], Pakistan Club Iftar for Women.
  7. ^ http://www.abna24.com/english/service/bahrain/archive/2014/12/17/658827/story.html
  8. ^ http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/05/07/148147.html
  9. ^ ET
  10. ^ a b Pakistanis in Bahrain, From the Editorial, Dawns Newspaper, 22 Mar 2011
  11. ^ Bahrain National Guard to recruit former soldiers from Pak, Deccan Herald, Islamabad, 11 March 2011
  12. ^ Bahrain spillover to spread to Pakistan? By Cyril Almeida, 24 Mar 2011, Dawn News
  13. ^ Ex-servicemen ‘export’ mercenaries to the Middle East, By Saba Imtiaz, Published: 12 March 2011, Express Tribune
  14. ^ Bahrain's Foreign Police Add to Tensions, by ALEX DELMAR-MORGAN and TOM WRIGHT, MARCH 25, 2011
  15. ^ ISPR Press release, No PR27/2008-ISPR, Dated: 2 May 2008
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