Bengalis in Pakistan

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Bengalis in Pakistan are ethnic Bengali people who had lived in either West Pakistan or East Pakistan prior to 1971 or live in present-day Pakistan.^[2] Most Pakistani Bengalis, are bilingual speaking both Urdu and Bengali and are mainly settled in Karachi. Bengalis that arrived in Pakistan before 1971 have now assimilated with the Urdu-speaking people in Karachi.^{[citation needed]}

Despite the historical fact that Bangladesh was formerly East Pakistan, the term 'Pakistani Bengali' is now no longer popularly used. However, a large population of nearly 2 million exists.^[3] The majority of Bengali residents in Pakistan are denied the right to vote, effectively excluding them from local politics. Consequently, local leaders often overlook their basic needs.

The absence of strong bilateral communication between the two nations prevents Pakistani Bengalis from visiting relatives in Bangladesh or sending financial support. Local employers practice hiring Bangladeshis because their charges for work are lower than local Pakistanis.^[4] Their lack of citizenship documentation makes them vulnerable to exploitation by employers. Additionally, the absence of a birth registration certificate (referred to as a B-form) has obstructed the education of many and, without a Computerised National ID Card (CNIC), barred them from pursuing high-paying job opportunities.^[5]