Al Khalifah seeking Legitimacy from Pakistani Citizens

Number of Pakistanis in Bahrain

The Pakistani foreign ministry and the office for Pakistani’s living abroad in Islamabad officially state that the number Pakistanis living in Bahrain is 45 thousand. But, independent statistics show this number to be between 55 and 60 thousand.

The Pakistanis who are living in Bahrain are either Pakistani citizens who have residence permits or Pakistani’s with Bahraini citizenship. There is a school called the Urdu Pakistan School and an organization called Bashgah-i Pakistan which are active in helping Pakistanis living in Bahrain. This organization is an important organization for Pakistanis in Manama; it has been able to protect Pakistanis from the violence seen in Bahrain. Bashgah-i Pakistan holds ceremonies on official Pakistani holidays, such as Eid and holds programs in the month of Ramadan.

Many Pakistanis joined the Bahraini police and army during the last decade. The majority of these Pakistanis live in Manama. An official of the office for Pakistani’s living abroad in Islamabad told an Islam Times reported: “Many Pakistanis returned from Libya and Egypt during the public uprisings that took place in those countries. But, only a few Pakistanis returned from Bahrain.”

The bodies of two Pakistanis who were killed in the recent violence in Bahrain were returned to Pakistan. Some sources say that four Pakistanis were killed; two police and two civilian workers.

Pakistani Military aiding Bahrain

During the public uprisings in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the Saudi Arabian Secretary-General of the National Security Council, traveled to Pakistan. He requested Pakistan to send military aid to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

A Pakistani military source who did not want his name revealed told an Islam Times reported: “Pakistan agreed to send two military divisions of the Pakistani army, about 20 thousand soldiers, to Saudi Arabia. These soldiers are prepared to militarily aid Saudi Arabia if necessary.”

After this trip, Sheikh Khalid al-Khalifah, Bahrain’s foreign minister, also traveled to Pakistan. This trip took place about one week ago. He thanked Pakistani officials for raising hundreds of Pakistani troops to support Bahrain’s army.

Pakistani military officials agreed to send two military divisions to Saudi Arabia. But, they agreed to send retired soldiers and civilians to Bahrain. Religious personalities, political parties, and regular civilians in Pakistan severely opposed sending troops to Bahrain.

A Pakistani journalist, who has close connections with Pakistani military officials, stated that recruiting for soldiers to be sent to Bahrain started in March, 2011 in various parts of Punjab, Balochistan, Karachi, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Over one thousand soldiers have already been sent to Bahrain.

This journalist has said that the Pakistani government and army commanders have not revealed their stance on this issue. But, important military officials, who are trying to better the conditions of retired Pakistani soldiers, have cooperated in sending forces to Bahrain. It has also been suggested that a number of former low-ranking Pakistani commanders be sent to train the Bahraini army.

The Sunni and Shia Muslims of Bahrain have been living in peace for many years without any tribal or sectarian fights. But, it has been decided that the only condition for recruitment is that the soldiers are not Shia. Officials thoroughly examine the files to make sure that no Shia has been recruited.

This decision has been made while the protests are being attended by Sunni and Shia Muslims of various tribes and economic class. Recruits who have been accepted have been promised that they will be given Bahraini citizenship. Many Pakistanis who have served in the military or police force, or who have lived in Bahrain for the last 25 years and are Sunni have been given Bahraini citizenship.

The official of the office for Pakistani’s living abroad in Islamabad stated that a number of Pakistanis living in Bahrain are police officers or soldiers in Bahrain’s army. This official said that there are over 7000 Pakistanis in Bahrain’s police force and over 3000 Pakistani soldiers in Bahrain’s army. But, almost all of them have extremely low ranks.

Other Occupations of Pakistanis in Bahrain

Pakistanis also hold physical labor jobs such as construction, janitorial service, cooking, and driving. Some of them are also businessmen.

Pakistanis living in Manama are in danger because the Pakistani police officers are put on the front lines to fight against the protestors.

© Islam Times