Kurds in Pakistan (Kurdish: Kurdên li Pakistanê, کوردان له‌ پاکستان, Urdu: پاکستان میں کُرد) comprise people residing in Pakistan who are of Kurdish origin. They are a small population consisting mainly of expatriates and transient migrants, most of whom arrived following the start of the Gulf War in Iraq in 1990.

Kurds in Pakistan
Kurdên li Pakistanê (Kurdish)
Kurdistan Region Pakistan
Regions with significant populations
Islamabad · Karachi
Languages
Kurdish, Urdu
Turkish and Arabic (Kurdish dialects)
Religion
Islam (Sunni Muslim, but also Shia Muslim)
Related ethnic groups
Iranian peoples (Northwestern Iranians)

Demographics

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External videos
  PAKISTAN: POLICE TEAR GAS KURDISH REFUGEES.

As many as 4,000-5,000 Kurds, originating from Iraqi Kurdistan, migrated to Pakistan in the early 1990s when the Gulf War broke out in Iraq.[1] A large number of them were based in Islamabad.[2] As of 2013, up to 240 Iraqi Kurds were still living in the country.[1] The majority of them were secondary migrants and asylum seekers, and were registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) operating in Pakistan.[1] Among them is a younger generation which is born in Pakistan.[3] Over the years, these transient migrants have been able to obtain immigration and have resettled in other countries in Europe and North America, with the help of the UNHCR.[1]

As Pakistan is not a signatory of the 1951 refugee convention, most Kurdish migrants are not able to acquire Pakistani citizenship. Due to their legal status, many tend to face social challenges relating to economic constraints, finding employment, healthcare, resettlement and other services.[1] Members of the Kurdish community have raised their concerns with the UNHCR and other authorities, calling for the addressing of such issues.[4][1]

Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Iraqi refugees – leading an uncertain life". Dawn. 20 June 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  2. ^ "Pakistani forces raided on Kurdish refugees". Kurdsat. 4 December 2012. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  3. ^ Ember, Carol R.; Ember, Melvin; Skoggard, Ian (2005). Encyclopedia of Diasporas: Immigrant and Refugee Cultures Around the World. Volume I: Overviews and Topics; Volume II: Diaspora Communities. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 1005. ISBN 9780306483219.
  4. ^ "Iraqi refugees protest against UNHCR". Dawn. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  5. ^ "National Portrait: Rez Gardi, lawyer, resettled refugee, outstanding young New Zealander". 17 February 2017.
  6. ^ "Begum Nusrat Bhutto".