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 Burmese Indians, they were part of the large South Asian community in the country. Significant Muslim migration occurred to Burma during the British Raj period. Most of these migrants were Bengalis of erstwhile East Pakistan, but there were also significant communities of Urdu-speakers, Memons,[3] Punjabis and Pashtuns.

History

Large-scale Muslim immigration from the South Asia to Burma began in the 1870s, when Burma, like modern-day Pakistan, was also under the British Raj.[1] Many of these Muslims came from areas that were to become Pakistan, and settled in various parts of Burma, including the western regions which were predominantly populated by local Burmese Muslims. Following Burma's independence in 1948, the status of Muslims from the South Asia living in Burma was profoundly affected; they could no longer display links with their places of origin and were given the option of either applying for Burmese citizenship, be considered foreigners, or become stateless. At that time, various Muslim associations in the area together united to form the "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.[4] They identified as 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 Government of Burma whereby they were given complete freedom to observe and celebrate their national and cultural events, such as raising the flag of Pakistan on occasions like Pakistan Day.[4] Similar privileges were enjoyed by the Chinese and Hindu communities.[4] Even 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Yegar, Moše (2002). Between Integration and Secession: The Muslim Communities of the Southern Philippine, Southern Thailand and Western Burma/Myanmar. Lexington Books. pp. 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. 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. 1 2 3 4 5 Yegar, Moshe (1972). The Muslims of Burma. O. Harrassowitz. p. 87. 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.
  11. ↑ Biography of General Hamid Khan, "illegitimate child from Burmese domestic servant ; a Traitors and culprit in the debacle of 1971 war between Pakistan and India. British during their Raj encouraged treason and betrayal among opportunists and oppressed Indians. In lieu of their services , British Raj granted Titles, lands,and in most cases annual stipends to those who helped British Raj to continue to rule India is very common knowledge. Very few people know that one of the most important character in 1971 India Pakistan war, which resulted in losing half of country , that is General Hamid Khan has similar background, whose father was granted the title of Khan Bahadur by the British Sarkar. Khan Bahadur Noor Mohammad , Father of General Hamid khan was a Kashmiri decent and resident of a village Sethal near present day Pakistani city of Gujrat in Punjab. That is how General Hamid used the surname of Khan. A fake khan. Noor Mohammad had wife and children living in Sethal village before he left for Burma. Khan Bahadur Noor Mohammad was granted military contacts in Burma which was part of British Raj. Their in Burma ,Khan Bahadur produced a son from his Burmese domestic servant, out of wedding locks, and then brought this child to Sethal village in Gujrat on his return from Burma to his wife and family. This boy later became ; General Hamid khan , COAS of Pakistan, responsible for losing half of country. Day and night drunk in the arms of whores with his boss and course mate of 30 years, that is General Yayah Khan, while innocent people of Pakistan were being slaughtered by Indian army in East Pakistan, and facing total debacle on western front against Indian Army, which resulted in surrender of 90, 000 prisoner of war, laying down their arms in front of Indian General. But in return to his services that was of General Hamid Khan, he allotted himself 35 Morabas( square miles) of agricultural lands in and around Lahore, luxury houses and farm houses in Lahore cantonment, and Islamabad. Now General Hamid’s Sons are enjoying the wealth and assets looted by their father. One son Sikander Hamid khan is top industrialists of Lahore, Second son retired as Brigadier in 10 Baluch, Brigadier Tariq Hamid khan who served General Musharraf’s right hand man through out Musharraf’s rule and benefited with more agricultural lands in Lahore. It is common knowledge to every on in Pak Army that , there was no drunk and womanizer General in the history of Pakistan, even at par with General Hamid khan and General Yayah khan. So family blood line of Brigadier Tariq Hamid Khan and General Musharraf had same foot prints and chemistry which worked so good that , Brigadier Tariq Hamid Khan continued to work at very senior position in WAPDA ( a special favour in Zardari’s Government by General Musharraf’s request to Zardari ) while Zardari was President of Pakistan. Brigadier Tariq Hamid Khan benefited his elder brother Sikander Hamid Khan by using his position and contacts to award Sikander Hamid Khan contracts for the manufacture and supply of concrete poles to WAPDA. A very lucrative business for the privileged ones. This still continues with Military contacts in place. Third son Khalid Hamid Khan is now proud owner of these agricultural lands. Children of these three sons are settled in USA , Britain and Australia with looted and plundered wealth of poor Pakistanis. The legend continues. British Sarkar always pick the right person for right job. This was and still secret to their success in running countries like Pakistan."
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