Pakistanis in Bahrain
Encyclopedia
Pakistanis in Bahrain are either Pakistani people who live in Bahrain
, Pakistani immigrants to Bahrain and people born in Bahrain of Pakistani descent. The population of Pakistanis in Bahrain, according to the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, is estimated to be between 50,000 to 60,000. The Pakistani community maintains a school, known as the Pakistan Urdu School
which educates community youth.
For the welfare of the Pakistani community in Bahrain, Pakistan Club has been established in Manama
which holds numerous events such as Iftar Nights, National Day Celebrations.
from the Pakistani Sunni community. As such many Pakistanis along with Sunni Arabs have also been granted Bahraini citizenship, which can be regarded as being a unique and special features, as citizenship in GCC
countries are only granted by Jus soli
born to parents with citizenship status in the respective GCC country. However to counter the increasing Shia population in Bahrian, the Bahrain government issued Bahrain citizenship to Pakistani expatriate who are Sunni. Pakistani expatriates in Bahrain may be granted citizenship either by virtue of joining the military or spending 25 years of legal residency in Bahrain and good Arabic language skills.
, the National Security Agency
and the Bahrain National Guard. This has been a bone of contention for the island's Shi'a opposition parties. Up to 2 Pakistani policemen and 2 Pakistani civilians have been killed by angry shia protesters because of the protesters anger at the police for cracking down the protesters.
The Pakistan army affiliated Fauji Foundation
and Pakistan navy affiliated Bahria Foundation has also been recruiting Pakistani military personnel as mercenaries
for the Bahrain National Guard (a paramilitary body). Following the 2011 Bahraini protests, advertisement for additional 800-1,000 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). Whereas according to an estimate by Wall Street Journal, Pakistanis contribute at least up to 7,000 of the 25,000 strong Bahrain Police force. 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.
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
, Pakistani immigrants to Bahrain and people born in Bahrain of Pakistani descent. The population of Pakistanis in Bahrain, according to the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, is estimated to be between 50,000 to 60,000. The Pakistani community maintains a school, known as the Pakistan Urdu School
Pakistan Urdu School, Bahrain
Pakistan Urdu School is a private institution functioning in Isa Town, Bahrain. The school was founded in 1956 by a panel of Bahraini and Pakistani trustees who agreed to establish it as an alternative English medium school for the Pakistani community in Bahrain...
which educates community youth.
For the welfare of the Pakistani community in Bahrain, Pakistan Club has been established in Manama
Manama
Manama is the capital and largest city of Bahrain, with an approximate population of 155,000 people.Long an important trading center in the Persian Gulf, Manama is home to a very diverse population...
which holds numerous events such as Iftar Nights, National Day Celebrations.
Profession and integration
Due to the Shia-Sunni conflict in Bahrain, the government of Bahrain which is a Sunni monarchy has recruited mercenariesMercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
from the Pakistani Sunni community. As such many Pakistanis along with Sunni Arabs have also been granted Bahraini citizenship, which can be regarded as being a unique and special features, as citizenship in GCC
Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf
The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf , also known as the Gulf Cooperation Council , is a political and economic union of the Arab states bordering the Persian Gulf and constituting the Arabian Peninsula, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates...
countries are only granted by Jus soli
Jus soli
Jus soli , also known as birthright citizenship, is a right by which nationality or citizenship can be recognized to any individual born in the territory of the related state...
born to parents with citizenship status in the respective GCC country. However to counter the increasing Shia population in Bahrian, the Bahrain government issued Bahrain citizenship to Pakistani expatriate who are Sunni. Pakistani expatriates in Bahrain may be granted citizenship either by virtue of joining the military or spending 25 years of legal residency in Bahrain and good Arabic language skills.
Service in security forces
Majority of these naturalized Pakistanis serve in Bahrain's military and police forces, including the Special Security ForcesSpecial Security Force Command
The Special Security Force Command is a paramilitary law enforcement body in Bahrain under the command of the National Security Agency, associated with the Ministry of the Interior...
, the National Security Agency
National Security Agency (Bahrain)
The National Security Agency or National Security Apparatus is an investigating authority in Bahrain that is associated with but not formally part of the Ministry of the Interior. The NSA was formed after King Hamad issued Decree No...
and the Bahrain National Guard. This has been a bone of contention for the island's Shi'a opposition parties. Up to 2 Pakistani policemen and 2 Pakistani civilians have been killed by angry shia protesters because of the protesters anger at the police for cracking down the protesters.
The Pakistan army affiliated Fauji Foundation
Fauji Foundation
The Fauji Foundation , is one of the largest conglomerates in Pakistan, with interests in fertilizer, cement, food, power generation, gas exploration, LPG marketing and distribution, financial services, employment services, and security services...
and Pakistan navy affiliated Bahria Foundation has also been recruiting Pakistani military personnel as mercenaries
Mercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
for the Bahrain National Guard (a paramilitary body). Following the 2011 Bahraini protests, advertisement for additional 800-1,000 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). Whereas according to an estimate by Wall Street Journal, Pakistanis contribute at least up to 7,000 of the 25,000 strong Bahrain Police force. 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.