Bengalis in Pakistan

Bengalis in Pakistan, in the present day, refers to two communities: Bengali Pakistanis who are Pakistani citizens of ethnic Bengali background, and Bengali immigrants in Pakistan who immigrated to Pakistan from Bangladesh. The Bengali Pakistanis are predominantly the descendants of East Pakistani migrants in West Pakistan who stayed in Pakistan following Bangladeshi independence. They are predominantly bilingual speaking both Urdu and Bengali and are mainly settled in Karachi. Bengali Pakistanis have now largely assimilated with the Muhajirs in Karachi.

Prior to its independence, Bangladesh was part of Pakistan as East Pakistan and the term 'Pakistani Bengali' was applied to Bengalis in the country. Following independence, the term became disassociated with East Pakistan and became restyled to be used for the ethnic Bengali population in West Pakistan (present-day Pakistan). The absence of strong bilateral communication between Pakistan and Bangladesh prior to the July Uprising in 2024, prevented Pakistani Bengalis from visiting relatives in Bangladesh or sending financial support.

The lack of citizenship documentation for the Bengali immigrants in Pakistan 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.