Pakistanis in Myanmar

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Pakistanis in Burma
Total population
300.000
Regions with significant populations
Burma
Languages
Burmese, Urdu, English
Religion
Islam[1]
Related ethnic groups
Pakistani diaspora

Pakistanis in Burma are a historical community living in

Burma who trace their origins to Pakistan. This definition includes Pakistani nationals residing in Burma and Burmese citizens who have ancestral links to Pakistan.[1][2] Their history predates the independence
of Pakistan in 1947.

Along with

Pashtuns
.

History

Large-scale

All Burma Pakistan Association" (ABPA) – a federation which came to be known as representing the "largest South Asian Muslim ethnic group in Burma."[1] The number of Pakistanis in Burma was estimated by the leaders of the ABPA to be between 300,000 and 500,000 people; however, the accuracy of this figure could never possibly be determined given the lack of official and reliable statistics.[1]

According to Moše Yegar, author of Between Integration and Secession, most of the Pakistanis belonged to modest, working-class socioeconomic backgrounds..

Many of the Pakistanis failed to opt for Burmese citizenship either because of "ignorance or a lack of information"; however, among them were some who intentionally managed to retain their

Pakistani citizenship. Then, there were others who lost their Pakistani citizenship while at the same time failing to take up Burmese citizenship.[1] It became one of the objectives of the ABPA to lobby Burmese authorities and the local Pakistani embassy to assist in facilitating the naturalization of those Pakistanis who sought Burmese citizenship, as well as facilitating those who wanted to acquire Pakistani passports.[1]

Community

Pakistanis in Burma remained equally loyal to Burma and Pakistan, identifying themselves with the national aspirations of both countries, and were an important link in promoting bilateral relations between the two countries.

Muslims in terms of religious affiliation.[5] Together with Burmese Indians, they were part of the large South Asian community in the country.[6][7]

The All Burma Pakistan Association served as the exclusive association for all Pakistanis in Burma. The ABPA maintained strong relations with the Government of Pakistan. Whenever high-profile Pakistani personalities visited Burma, they would be personally received as guests by the APBA.[4]

In the

2014 Myanmar Census, Pakistani residents were categorised into the "Other" ethnic category, along with Chinese and Rohingya residents.[8]

Exodus

In the years that followed independence, Pakistanis in Burma enjoyed the same lifestyles as other immigrants settled in Burma. In fact, Pakistanis were granted special privileges by the

Rohingya conflict in Western Burma, led by local Muslim separatists who aspired a unification with neighboring East Pakistan, posed no political effects whatsoever upon the lives of the Pakistanis in Burma despite the momentary diplomatic scuffle that was meanwhile following between the governments of Pakistan and Burma over the conflict.[4]

However, following the 1962 Burmese coup d'état by General Ne Win and a nationwide nationalization program, living conditions suddenly became difficult for all immigrants. The 1962 coup led to a swift exodus of South Asians from Burma, and many Muslims began returning to India and Pakistan.[1] With the growing popularity of the Burmese National Movement post-World War II, opposition against the presence of South Asian and Muslim immigrants had begun to grow in Burma. South Asian Muslims were losing their prospects of being equal citizens and were beginning to discover themselves as a foreign minority in independent Burma. The changing hostile atmosphere triggered a mass exodus of South Asians and the Pakistani community significantly declined.[9][10] Those Muslims of Pakistani origin who chose to remain were confronted by an increasingly nationalist Burmese movement and were forced to quietly assimilate into Burmese society rather than being able to freely emphasize a separate ethnic identity.[1]

Notable people

See also

Pakistani diaspora in Southeast Asia:

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-0739103562
    .
  2. ^ Year Book, 2004–2005, Islamabad: Ministry of Labour, Manpower, and Overseas Pakistanis
  3. ^ Gulzar, Falah (20 November 2018). "Khausa: A tale of two cities - Yangon and Karachi". Gulf News. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  4. ^
    ISBN 978-3447013574
    .
  5. ^ Roberts, Thomas Duval (1968). Area handbook for Burma. American University (Washington, D.C.). Foreign Area Studies: U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 141, 143.
  6. ^ United States. Dept. of State (1971). Background Notes. Dept. of State, Bureau of Public Affairs, Office of Media Services. p. 45.
  7. ^ Robert R. Nathan Associates (1953). Comprehensive report: economic and engineering development of Burma, Volume 1. Knappen, Tippetts, Abbett, McCarthy Engineers. p. 17.
  8. ^ MYO ZAW LINN (31 October 2013). "Burma to count Thailand refugees in 2014 census". DVB. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015. But last month, Immigration Minister Khin Yi insisted that the Rohingya, described as "Bengalis" in Burma, will be counted under the "other" category on the census along with ethnic Chinese and Pakistani residents.
  9. ^ Allen, Richard (1970). A short introduction to the history and politics of Southeast Asia. Oxford University Press. pp. 97.
  10. ^ Far Eastern Economic Review, Volume 45. Far Eastern Economic Review Limited. 1964. p. 264.
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