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European Pakistanis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Europeans in Pakistan
Europeans inLahore,c. 1590
Total population
80,000+(2015)[1]
excluding multiracial people
~0.03% of Pakistan's population
Regions with significant populations
Nationwide including cities inPunjab,Sindh,andIslamabad Capital Territory;sizable populations in other regions[citation needed]
Languages
VariousEuropean languages·English·Urduand otherLanguages of Pakistan[citation needed]
Religion
Christianity·Islam[citation needed]
Related ethnic groups
European diaspora

European Pakistanisare the residents ofPakistanwho are of full or partialEuropean origin.[citation needed]

History

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Prior to thePartition of Indiain 1947, Pakistan was part of theBritish Raj.British control of the region began with the annexation ofSindin 1843,Punjaband theNorth-West Frontierin 1849, andBaluchistanin 1876.[2]Thecolonial periodexpanded European influence inSouth Asia.Thousands of Europeansettlersarrived in theIndian subcontinentas administrators, soldiers, officials, civilians,missionaries,and traders.[3]During the 1940s, there was a small population ofEuropean Jewsscattered across cosmopolitan cities that are now in Pakistan, such asKarachiandLahore.They arrived as part of the Jewish exodus toBritish Indiafollowing the outbreak ofWorld War IIinEurope.However, by the late 1960s, most of these Jews, along with thelocal Jewish population,experiencedan exodus following the independence of Pakistanand consequently left the country for neighbouringIndiaorIsraeland theWestern world.[4]The termsgora(lit. 'white [man]') andgori(lit. 'white [woman]'),firangi(lit. 'foreigner') orangrez(lit. 'English') are used interchangeably in Pakistan to refer to aWhite person.[5]

Demographics

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The following sections outline current expatriate European communities in Pakistan, sorted by theirgeographical regionof origin.

Central Europe

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TheSwisscommunity in Pakistan numbered 336 people as of 2014, based on embassy registrations.[6][7][8]There is also a smallAustrianexpatriate group.[9]Czechsin Pakistan are a small community consisting of expatriates, and Czech nationals married to Pakistanis. A Czech Film Club was set up in Islamabad by the Czech embassy, as of 2004. It arranged screenings ofCzech filmsfor Czechs living in Pakistan as well asCzech-speakers.[10]There is also a smallGermancommunity as well.

Eastern Europe

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There is a very smallUkrainiancommunity in the country, numbering a few dozen. It includes businesspersons, journalists, diplomats, and Ukrainian spouses married to Pakistanis. Most of them reside in metropolitan cities.[11]There is also a smallRussian community in Pakistan,and has been present since theSovietera. There are someRomanians,concentrated in Islamabad.[12][13][14]

Northern Europe

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Northern European expatriates in Pakistan primarily consist ofScandinaviancommunities. A pattern of return-migration is observed amongDanesofPakistani origin,of whom some families have settled in Pakistan.[15]Around 100 other Danes were living in Pakistan as of 2006.[16]There were also around 200Swedesin Pakistan, and they are spread throughout the country.[17]The population ofFinnsin Pakistan is fewer in number.[18]

ANorwegiandiaspora is present in the country, a large number of them beingNorwegians of Pakistani descent.[19]Up to 4,000 Norwegian citizens live in Pakistan.[20]The town ofKharianinGujratdistrict of Punjab is known as "Little Norway", as the majority of Pakistani-Norwegians hail from this area and many of them have resettled here.[21][22]Others split their time between Norway and Pakistan.[23]They have established family businesses and built large houses in the town, including those who have moved back to Pakistan post-retirement.[21][24]Remittances and investment by Norwegians have boosted the town's economy and real estate.[25]Those who are more accustomed to urban living prefer owning houses in larger cities such as Islamabad and Lahore.[26]Private schools in Kharian supported by the embassy provideNorwegian-language classes to the children of Norwegian citizens, making assimilation easier when the expatriates return to Norway.[20][25]According toStatistics Norway,one-in-three Pakistani-Norwegian youth spend at least a year or more in Pakistan, gaining key exposure to their cultural roots.[26][27]The Norwegian community maintains a keen interest in politics back home and observes the country's national events.[28]

Southern Europe

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As of 2010, 300Italiannationals were residing in Pakistan.[29][30]Some Italians are notable in the region's history as empire mercenaries, such asPaolo AvitabileandJean-Baptiste Venturawho served in Punjab and the Frontier underRanjit Singh.[31]There is a smallSpaniardpopulation in Pakistan, mainly confined to Islamabad.[32][33] There is also a smallPortuguese communityresiding in Karachi. The community is known for establishing missionary schools, and for its contribution to the country's pop music scene.[34]The Portuguese presence in South Asia dates back to the start of the 16th century, following the rise of thePortuguese Empire.The empire did not control any regions that are part of modern Pakistan. However, it did possesscolonies in India(most notablyGoa), and made a series of incursions along Pakistan's present southern coastline. In 1568, the Portuguese led by admiralFernão Mendes PintoattackedDebal(nearThatta) when they encounteredOttomantraders' ships anchored at the port.[35]

Western Europe

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In 2005, over 47,000Britons resided in Pakistan.By 2015, their population was 80,000, making them by far the largest Western community.[36][1]They compriseEnglishand smaller numbers ofScottish,Welsh,andNorthern Irishexpatriates.[37]The community also includes a large number ofBritish Pakistaniswho have resettled in Pakistan. The city ofMirpurinKashmir,where themajority of British Pakistanisoriginate from, is called "Little Britain" due to its expatriate British population.[38][39][40]Colonial-era buildings, infrastructure, laws, institutions, governance, and culture left by the British exist throughout Pakistan as a legacy of the empire.[41]

Irish peoplehave been present in theSouth Asian subcontinentsince the days of theEast India Company.[42]Many of them served as soldiers and government officials for the colonial empire.[43]Around half of the British forces in the subcontinent consisted of Irish manpower.[41]Others became renowned as educators, nurses, and Christian missionaries.[41][44][45]This tradition continues today, as several convent schools in Pakistan are run by Irish nuns – such as theConvents of Jesus and Maryin Karachi, Lahore, andMurree,[46]or the Presentation Convent Schools inPunjabfounded by thePresentation Sisters.[45][47]ManyRoman Catholicmissionaries fromIrelandhave been working in Pakistan for decades, and are involved in social work or provision of services to the country's Christian community.[48][49][50][51]Irish expatriates also work as medical volunteers or have occupied key positions representing international organisations such as theUnited Nations.[45][52]Notable Irish-Pakistanis include SisterJohn Berchmans Conwaywho became a teacher,[53]andJennifer Musawho married into the Qazi family and entered politics – earning the title "Queen ofBalochistan."[54]

Other Western European diasporas include a smallFrenchcommunity as well.[citation needed]

Organisations

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European countries have embassies inIslamabad,while some also have deputy missions in Karachi and Lahore. In addition, theEuropean Unionis represented in Pakistan through a delegated mission.[55]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^abGishkori, Zahid (30 July 2015)."Karachi has witnessed 43% decrease in target killing: Nisar".The Express Tribune.Retrieved3 August2017.As many as 116,308 Afghan nationals are living as immigrants in the country, higher than any other country, "Nisar told the House. Besides Afghans, 52,486 Americans, 79,447 British citizens and 17,320 Canadians are residing in the country, the interior minister added.
  2. ^Myers, Bernard Samuel (1959).Encyclopedia of world art, Volume 11.McGraw-Hill. p. 4.
  3. ^Bosma, Ulbe; Raben, Remco (2008).Being "Dutch" in the Indies: A History of Creolisation and Empire, 1500-1920.NUS Press. p. 16.ISBN9789971693732.In 1861, for instance, a census in British India registered a count of 70,962 European soldiers – including their families – and 40,379 civilians.
  4. ^Friedman, Gabe; The Forward (19 October 2014)."When Jews Found Refuge in an Unlikely Place: Pakistan".Haaretz.Retrieved28 June2016.
  5. ^Terry Victor; Tom Dalzell (1 December 2007).The Concise New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English.Routledge. p. 1991.ISBN978-1-134-61533-9.
  6. ^"Bilateral relations Switzerland–Pakistan".Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (Switzerland).3 November 2015.Retrieved6 July2016.
  7. ^Nelson, Anna; Zarifeh, Ramsey (3 June 2002)."Swiss diplomats to remain in India and Pakistan".Swiss Info.Retrieved4 July2016.
  8. ^Toor, Liaqat (3 November 2013)."Smacking of strong Swiss flavours at food festival".Pakistan Observer.Archived fromthe originalon April 7, 2014.Retrieved3 July2016.
  9. ^"Austrian Food Festival 2013".Austrian Embassy, Islamabad.2013.Retrieved3 July2016.Our experts and students from HLT Retz prepared Austrian food specialties, considering cultural sensibilities. In total 300 guests – local guests, Austrians in Pakistan and members of the diplomatic corps - accepted the invitation to the Austrian Residence.
  10. ^Report on the Foreign Policy of the Czech Republic: between January 2004 and December 2004.Ministerstvo zahraničních věcí České republiky. 2005. p. 146.ISBN9788086345550.
  11. ^"Ambassador of Ukraine in the Republic of Pakistan for" Viva-Ukraine "".Viva Ukraine.Archived fromthe originalon 28 June 2016.Retrieved28 June2016.
  12. ^"Romanian Embassy sets up election booth".The News.2 November 2014. Archived fromthe originalon 15 August 2016.Retrieved5 July2016.
  13. ^"Embassy of Romania has asked its citizens in Pakistan to cast their vote for the National Referendum".Diplomatic Star.24 July 2012.Retrieved5 July2016.
  14. ^"National Day of Romania celebrated".The News.3 December 2015.Retrieved5 July2016.
  15. ^Rytter, Mikkel (2013).Family Upheaval: Generation, Mobility and Relatedness among Pakistani Migrants in Denmark.Berghahn Books.ISBN9780857459404.
  16. ^"Danish ambassador exits Pakistan".Hurriyet Daily News.20 February 2006.Retrieved3 July2016.
  17. ^"Sweden loses contact with embassy in Pakistan, say officials".People's Daily Online.4 November 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 17 August 2016.Retrieved4 July2016.
  18. ^"Finland Closes Embassy in Islamabad".YLE.9 July 2007.Retrieved4 July2016.
  19. ^Hetland, Atle (28 July 2011)."The 2011 tragedy in Norway".The Nation.Retrieved3 July2016.I have also met some Pakistani-Norwegians in Islamabad after the tragedy, and many have wanted to talk with other Norwegians... That is a reminder to us Norwegians living in Pakistan, that we must also show empathy when tragedies happen in the beautiful land of Pakistan.
  20. ^abZaman, Kadafi (15 June 2004)."Krever norsk skole i Pakistan".Verdens Gang(in Norwegian).Retrieved3 July2016.
  21. ^abMussadaq, Maha (4 March 2012)."Claim to fame: A little bit of Norway lives in Kharian".The Express Tribune.Retrieved3 July2016.On Thursday, Ambassador of Norway to Pakistan Cecilie Landsverk made that pilgrimage and seemed very excited to meet the Norwegian-Pakistanis that live here. As she entered the little village of Ogarian in Kharian, she was greeted by Aslam Ahsan, a Norwegian-Pakistani, and his family at his residence. To greet the ambassador in a traditional manner, her car was escorted by a dancing horse. As soon as she stepped out, one was treated to another unusual sight. A man looking like a typical Pakistani farmer in his shalwar kameez and shawl around his shoulder greeted and conversed with the ambassador in Norwegian, with the rest of the family doing the same. "They look Pakistani but they are Norwegians," said Landsverk.
  22. ^"Studietur Pakistan"(PDF).Tvangsekteskap.net(in Norwegian). December 2002. pp. 22–24. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 27 August 2016.Retrieved3 July2016.
  23. ^"En Noman i Pakistan".NRK(in Norwegian). 2 May 2006.Retrieved3 July2016.
  24. ^Shahzad, Mirza Khurram (26 September 2014)."Footprints: Norway in Pakistan".Dawn.Retrieved3 July2016.
  25. ^ab"Remittances - the impact on communities".IRIN News.18 May 2005.Retrieved3 July2016.
  26. ^abStorhaug, Hege (21 October 2009)."Brought up in Pakistan".Human Rights Service (Norway).Retrieved3 July2016.
  27. ^Erdal, Marta Bivand; Amjad, Anum; Bodla, Qamar Zaman; Rubab, Asma (23 June 2015). "Going Back to Pakistan for Education? The Interplay of Return Mobilities, Education, and Transnational Living".Peace Research Institute Oslo, Oslo, Norway & Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad.22(8): 836–848.doi:10.1002/psp.1966.
  28. ^Hyatt, Ishrat (19 May 2016)."Norwegian Constitution Day celebrated".The News.Retrieved6 July2016.
  29. ^"Italy may invest in infrastructure".The News.4 February 2010.Retrieved4 July2016.
  30. ^"Message from Italian Ambassador in Pakistan".Business Recorder.24 May 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 21 September 2016.Retrieved4 July2016.
  31. ^Amini, Iradj (2013).The Koh-i-noor Diamond.Roli Books Private Limited. p. 118.ISBN9789351940357.
  32. ^Bakhtawari, Zafar (14 October 2015)."Spanish national day celebrated".The Nation.Retrieved3 July2016.
  33. ^"Cuba hailed as role model in healthcare".Daily Times.11 May 2016.Retrieved3 July2016.The representatives of diplomatic community, serving and former government representatives, members of the Spanish community in Islamabad, prominent health care professionals as well as students attended the seminar from the Spanish department of NUML.
  34. ^Correa, Noel (12 June 2011)."Pakistan's Portuguese wonder: Magic fingers".The Express Tribune.Retrieved3 July2016.
  35. ^Paracha, Nadeem F. (13 March 2016)."Smokers' Corner: Once upon an ancient Karachi".Dawn.Retrieved3 July2016.
  36. ^"Brits Abroad".BBC News.Retrieved28 June2016.
  37. ^"Scottish Government's Pakistan Plan".Scottish Government.2 September 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 9 August 2016.Retrieved4 July2016.We will explore the potential for engaging with the Scottish Diaspora in Pakistan and other networks to raise the profile of Scotland in Pakistan.
  38. ^Maqbool, Aleem (4 March 2012)."How city of Mirpur became 'Little England'".BBC News.Retrieved29 June2016.
  39. ^Wilkinson, Isambard (5 December 2005)."British Pakistanis bring fish and chips to Kashmir's 'Beverly Hills'".The Telegraph.Retrieved29 June2016.
  40. ^Maqbool, Aleem (1 May 2010)."Chasing the UK vote in Pakistan's 'Little Britain'".BBC News.Retrieved29 June2016.
  41. ^abcWalbridge, Linda (2012).The Christians of Pakistan: The Passion of Bishop John Joseph.Routledge. pp. 11, 23–24, 150–151, 185.ISBN9781136131783.
  42. ^Bielenberg, Andy (2014).The Irish Diaspora.Routledge. pp. 236–237.ISBN9781317878124.
  43. ^Lennon, Joseph (2008).Irish Orientalism: A Literary and Intellectual History.Syracuse University Press. p. 172.ISBN9780815631644.
  44. ^Kelly, Laura (2015).Irish Women in Medicine, C.1880s-1920s: Origins, Education and Careers.Oxford University Press. pp. 129–130.ISBN9780719097409.
  45. ^abcÓ hAodha, Mícheál; Ó Catháin, Máirtín (2014).Irish Migrants in New Communities: Seeking the Fair Land?.Lexington Books. pp. 46–50.ISBN9780739173831.
  46. ^McGarry, Patsy (31 December 2007)."Bhutto educated to 'O' level stage by Irish nuns".Irish Times.Retrieved3 July2016.
  47. ^Bangash, Yaqoob Khan (24 December 2015)."Labour of love".The Express Tribune.Retrieved2 July2016.
  48. ^Gargan, Mags (31 March 2016)."Irish missionaries vow to stand by Pakistani Christians despite upsurge in violence".The Irish Catholic.Retrieved3 July2016.
  49. ^Gargan, Mags (29 October 2015)."Missionaries fear high death toll from Pakistan quake".The Irish Catholic.Retrieved3 July2016.
  50. ^McKinley, Stephen (21–27 November 2001)."Priest keeps faith in Muslim heartland".The Irish Echo.Retrieved3 July2016.
  51. ^Khan, Jibran (28 June 2012)."Missionary in Pakistan: forming the laity in the Church and promoting Christian media".Asia News.Retrieved3 July2016.
  52. ^Khan, Saadia (22 December 2015)."Pakistan: Highs and lows in Balochistan".Medecins Sans Frontieres.Archived fromthe originalon 18 August 2016.Retrieved3 July2016.
  53. ^InPaper Magazine (16 January 2012)."A life to celebrate".Dawn.Retrieved2 July2016.
  54. ^Kemp, Danny (14 December 2006)."Irish-born woman is 'Queen of Balochistan'".Dawn.Retrieved2 July2016.
  55. ^"Political and Economic Relations".Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan.Retrieved16 July2016.
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