Pakistanis in Bahrain
Total population
110,000 (2014)[1] including 10,000[2] serving in security forces.
Regions with significant populations
Manama
Languages
Urdu, Punjabi, Pashto, Gulf Arabic, Saraiki, Balushi
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 stands at 110,000 as of 31 December 2014.[3] 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 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.[4][5]

Profession and integration

The British Army in the past 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.[6]

Service in Bahrain

The majority of Pakistanis work in the Public Security Forces and the Bahrain Defence Force to help provide security for Bahrain.[7] Protests have seen many Pakistanis injured by mobs.[8]

The Pakistan army affiliated Fauji Foundation and Pakistan navy affiliated Bahria Foundation[9] have also been recruiting Pakistani military personnel for the Bahrain National Guard. Following the 2011 Bahraini protests, advertisements for additional 800[10]-1,000[11] recruits had been advertised in Pakistani newspapers. This is in addition to a conservative estimate of 2,000 Pakistanis already serving in Bahrain Defence Force and Public Security Force.[12] According to an estimate by the Wall Street Journal, Pakistanis contribute as many as 7,000 of the 25,000-strong Bahrain police force.[13] In total, almost 10,000 Pakistanis contribute to various Bahrain security forces. The Pakistan army and Bahrain National Guard are also known to maintain strong ties.[14]

Military presence

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

Education

1. Pakistan Urdu School educates Pakistanis in Bahrain. http://www.pakurduschool.com/ 2. Pakistan school Bahrain (https://pakistanschool.org/)

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.mofa.gov.pk/documents/handbook.pdf, archived version
  2. ↑ Bahrain agrees to augment defence ties with Pakistan, By Baqir Sajjad Syed, 30 Mar 2011, Dawn
  3. ↑ http://www.mofa.gov.pk/documents/handbook.pdf
  4. ↑ , Pakistan Club Celebrates National Day.
  5. ↑ , Pakistan Club Iftar for Women.
  6. ↑ "Pakistan Ambassador reveals shocking numbers: 30,000 naturalized Pakistanis in Bahrain - AhlulBayt News Agency - ABNA - Shia News". Archived from the original on 9 February 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  7. ↑ "Bahrain economy has lost $2 billion because of political unrest, says top business official". Al Arabiya English. 7 May 2011.
  8. ↑ ET
  9. ↑ Pakistanis in Bahrain, From the Editorial, Dawns Newspaper, 22 Mar 2011
  10. ↑ Bahrain National Guard to recruit former soldiers from Pak, Deccan Herald, Islamabad, 11 March 2011
  11. ↑ Bahrain spillover to spread to Pakistan? By Cyril Almeida, 24 Mar 2011, Dawn News
  12. ↑ Ex-servicemen ‘export’ mercenaries to the Middle East, By Saba Imtiaz, Published: 12 March 2011, Express Tribune
  13. ↑ Bahrain's Foreign Police Add to Tensions, by ALEX DELMAR-MORGAN and TOM WRIGHT, MARCH 25, 2011
  14. ↑ ISPR Press release, No PR27/2008-ISPR, Dated: 2 May 2008
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