Migration in Pakistan

Migration Patterns in Pakistan

By: Ali AbbasiFatima Lodhi

Rimsha Sohail Qureshi

Migration Patterns related to geography

• Northern mountains• Western highlands• Indus plains• Eastern deserts

Reasons for international immigration

• Canal colonies• 1947 migration• Indo-pak wars• Afghan conflict• Bangladeshi and

burmese migrants

Development of punjab canal colonies

Reasons• Colonized 4.5 m

hectares of land (desert & pastoral) for agriculture purpose

• Imported peasants from eastern punjab

• Development of mandi towns for export of agricultural products

Effects• Population increase of

18% (1901-1911) – rural areas

• Population increase 22% (1911 – 1921) – urban areas

• Emergence of “locals” and “settlers”

1947 migration from India

• No communication link with KPK and Baluchistan

• Compulsory migration between India and Pakistan’s punjab

• Migrants had a cultural and linguistic link with punjab

• Pakistan population increased 6% (1.8m)

• No migration to KPK and Baluchistan

• Migration increased in Punjab - 90% to 192% (1941-1951)

• Migration increased in Sindh - >150% (1941-1951)s

Impact of this migration

• Caste and clan organization became weak and ineffective

• Go-getting culture replaced by old value system

• Mono-religious society emerged aiming to be mono-cultural

Result of indo-pak wars

• Pakistan and India fought wars in 1948 – Kashmir conflict.

• In 1965 & 1971, Thar’s population migrated to india

• Kargill conflict took place in 1977 – all producing refugees

• Kashmiris migrated to Karachi owing to geographical limitations

• 3500 muslim families moved to Thar and were alloted 12 acres of land, yet infrastructure and agricultural output collapsed.

As a result of Afghan Conflict

• Population growth rate– Peshawar > 2% (1961-1972)-

9% (1972-1981)– Quetta > 3%(1961-1972)-

7%(1972-1981)– 600,000Afghans settled in

Karachi (NARA)

• Koochis of Pawandas settled permanently in Pakistan

• Increased numbers of Pushto speakers in Pakistan

• Strengthened Pukhtoon culture and religious establishment

• Emergence of “heroine and klashinkove” culture

• Major segment of unskilled labor force plus earth-work contractors

Bangladeshi and Burmese migrants

• 1971 war prompted non-bengalis to shift to Orangi Karachi

• Riots between Burmese muslims and Burmese government increased migration to karachi

• Belonging to educated class, they have worked for improving infrastructure

• Engaged in the fishery industry

Impacts of international migration

• Illegal encroachments• Acquired CNIC plus vote that disrupts electoral

process• Bangladeshi and Burmese women trafficked

for prostitution to karachi• Cause of unemployment as these foreigners

work for lowest wages

Rural – Urban Migration

• Agricultural economy shifted to a capital intensive system

• Industrialization in the urban areas

• Free their children from oppression of the feudal system

• Education

• As per 1998 census,– 43% migrants moved

with household head– 17% because of

marriage– 12% for employment– 9% for business

Impacts – urban areas

• Creation of informal settlements• Public land unavailable, settlements being created by

informal subdivision of agricultural land• Along the transport corridors creating problem for

infrastructural development• Water and seweage discharged to water bodies• Aquifiuers being depleted plus formation of soak-pits• Transport has become a major issue• Inner cities becoming male-dominated and hubs of

corruption

Impacts- rural areas• Migrant families have improved their homes and

created new ones• Lobbied for piped water • Created schools under government support• Creation of new types of outlets and fast foods• Caste system and feudal system being demolished• Artisan products replaced by industrial goods• Cultural estrangement• Problems regarding maintenance of agricultural

infrastructure and natural resources increased with a significant decline in agricultural activities

Emigration• 95% of emigrants are men• People from Mirpur migrated to

UK (1950’s and 1960’s) owing to creation of mega-irrigation project

• Demand of physicians and IT professionals in USA and UK

• Large-scale migration owing to the building boom in Middle East in 1970’s

• Agreement signed in 2006 between Korea and Malaysia for pakistani workers

• Minorities migrated owing to socio-political reasons

• Working class emigrants possess skills and education– 5% of physicians migrated to USA

and UK• People in possession of

agricultural land constitute a major portion of emigrants : Rawalpindi and Sahiwal

• Young Pakistanis wish to emigrate owing to social and economic reasons.

• Ismailiz migrated owing to “taalibanization”

• Makran coast locals work in Muscati army and police

Remittances – a major consequence

• KPK highest dependence on remittances

• Quarter of all income in Azad Jammu Kashmir

• Emigrants of Makran coast suffer owing to a very low inflow of remmitences

• Remittances sent via the “hundi” system

• Families to have washing machines, refrigirators, piped water and flush toilets, yet no difference in education or food intake

• Social status of women changed – greater independence

• Emigrants become psychologically challenged

• In Makran, lack of labor has increased the gap in middle and low income families

• Macroeconomic indicators improved

Emigrant organization and Socio-economic development

• Gateshed-Sahiwal Initiative by Dr.Bashir in UK

• Association of Pakistani physicians of North America

• Shifa International Hospital plus Shifa foundation

• World sindhi Congress• Overseas Pakistan

Foundation

• Health program linking gateshed council and sahiwal TMA

• Support medical and charity initiatives in NA. Collected 1.7m for earth quake affectees

• Hospital providing services plus education youngsters of Pakistan

• Unity of sindhi speaking people in india and pakistan

• Works for a welfare fund to enhance infrastructure