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PAKISTANI IN UK
A welcome step!
The 2001 census showed that from nearly
58,800,000 total UK population, Asians make up just over about
2,084,000. This is 3.5% of the total population. Out of this
nearly 1.8% are Indian (1,054,000), 1.25% are Pakistani (747,000)
and just under 0.5% are Bangladeshi (283,000). This gives
a ratio of Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis as 10: 7:
3.
Traditionally, the minority communities
choose to live close to each other in groups. For example,
evidence from history shows that the Jewish migrants to UK,
initially came to East London. Then they moved to North London
and now are concentrated around the southeast belt around
Greater London. A similar pattern is seen in the ethnic Asian
migrants. Interestingly, well over 96% of all Asians in the
UK live in England itself while 43% live in London and the
South-East alone. Half of all Asians in the UK live in the
English regions outside London mainly in Midland and Yorkshire.
The migration of Pakistanis to UK peaked
in 1961 and 1962. Pakistanis entering Britain before the Commonwealth
Immigration Act in 1962 were predominantly economically active
men. They had voucher system that provided an opportunity
to bring their relatives and friends to UK. Having the relatives
around them changed their plans from temporary to a permanent
settlement in UK. The migration has carried on ever since.
Pakistanis have evenly spread themselves
across the UK with largest concentrations in the West Midlands
(155,000), Yorkshire (146,000), London (142,000), North-West
(117,000) and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland combined
(41,000).
British Pakistanis have involved themselves
in all walks of life. All four Muslim Members of the Parliament
are of Pakistan origin. Many major businesses in UK are owned
by British Pakistanis. There are more than 100 multi-millionaire
Pakistanis in UK.
It is therefore no surprise that British
Government works in close collaboration with Pakistan due
to the vested interests of British Pakistanis. For example,
Chancellor of Exchequer Gordon Brown after his meeting with
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz recently announced a £6 million
grant for Pakistan to help it fight illegal international
drugs trade through purchase of two new heavy lift helicopters
ideal for the difficult Pakistan/Afghan border terrain.
UK is the second largest foreign investor
in Pakistan.
Within hours of hearing the news of
Earthquake in Pakistan, department of International trade
(DFID) response team scrambled the first international search
and rescue teams to the region, arranged for medical support
to be flown in, and emptied the UK’s stores of blankets, and
tents in the race to prevent further loss of life. The DFID
pledged a total of £58 million in immediate assistance and
a further £70 million over three years to help with the rebuilding.
At the same time, the Pakistanis in Britain personally raised
more than £1 million within a month. They have continued to
support rehabilitation services in affected areas of Kashmir
through financial and human resource.
There are multiple professional and
financial institutions of Pakistanis in the UK. For example,
Pakistani Bankers Association, UK Pakistan Chamber of Commerce,
Pakistani Professionals Association etc.
With increasing involvement of Pakistanis
in all types of business throughout UK, it would be most appropriate
and convenient for the public to have access to a central
register of reference. Simultaneously the businessmen could
also benefit from such information. Their product sales, development
and marketing strategies could be targeted accordingly. For
instance, there are approximately 3 Indians to every 1 Pakistani
or Bangladeshi living in London. However the Indian communities
are concentrated in the boroughs of Ealing, Brent and Harrow;
while Pakistani communities are in Walthamstow, Newham and
Ealing. The Bangladeshi communities are in Tower Hamlets,
Newham and Camden. A central register can give epidemiological
data regarding the whereabouts of businessmen, the buyer,
the user and the manufacturer, thus enabling targeted approach.
A register could link the businessmen to each other producing
a strong network of performers.
Making such a register is a difficult
task but can be a handy document if precision and adequacy
is employed to prepare it. However it will require cooperation
from many people, most importantly the Pakistani Business
community itself.
Maria Mahmood
