Urdu/Nat Authorities in Pakistan are seeking ways to repatriate more than 1.5 (m) million migrants from neighbouring Bangladesh. Hundreds of thousands of Bengalis have been crossing the border since 1971, when the country was split into two and East Pakistan became known as Bangladesh. The Bengalis - whom Islamabad views as illegal immigrants - claim they have a right of abode in Pakistan. APTV takes a look at one of these Bengali communities - in Karachi. This slum is in Pakistan's largest city, Karachi. Houses jam the mazelike streets, home to thousands of Bengalis who emigrated to Pakistan after the formation of Bangladesh in 1971. The Bengalis - in scattered enclaves around Karachi - now number more than 1.5 (m) million. The poverty-stricken work as house servants while many others slave away in the fishing business. The men take care of the fishing boats while women and children clean the freshly caught seafood. Most of them were in search of new fortunes, entering Pakistan with the help of middlemen. Once here, though, reality deals them a sharp blow. Few are able to make a reasonable living, and most grapple with the subhuman conditions in slums. SOUNDBITE: (Urdu) "I came to Pakistan some twenty to thirty years ago. During this period, I have faced many problems, like the lack of basic amenities and a terrible standard of living. The sanitation here is the worst." SUPER CAPTION: Haji Akhlas, immigrant from Bangladesh Vulnerable to corrupt police and other authorities, the Bengalis are easy prey for blackmail and extortion. One police tactic which has drawn increasing criticism from the migrants is the practice of raids. Raids are stepped up during campaigns against illegal immigrants regularly launched by the Pakistani government. Many Bengalis wonder why they are being persecuted. SOUNDBITE: (Urdu) "I'm Pakistani. If I didn't come to Pakistan, where else would I go? I came from East Pakistan to West Pakistan. That was not a crime, was it? We didn't come as migrants from India. We came from East Pakistan, that was no crime. These policemen commit abuses against us, saying we are Bengalis. So what? Is being Bengali a crime? We are Muslims, aren't we?" SUPER CAPTION: Arif-ur-Rehman, immigrant form Bangladesh Those wishing to start up small businesses also encounter many obstacles. They lack the necessary funds and resources and have no access to government assistance. SOUNDBITE: (Urdu) "There are no roads constructed in our areas, and we're not allowed to own businesses. We are always considered foreigners, which is legally and morally wrong. So we would request the international community or the parties in power that we should be provided the same facilities as other nationalities in the country. Because we have always been Pakistani, as we are Pakistanis, and god willing we will always remain Pakistanis." SUPER CAPTION: Mohammad Sanaullah, immigrant from Bangladesh Many Bengalis claim the date of their arrival was before 1971, in order to justify their stay. The government of President Nawaz Sharif is now considering registering the illegal immigrants - despite pressure from some circles to deport them. Pakistani authorities have tried to crack down on these illegal immigrants, but their attempts have met with little success. Part of the problem is the cost of deporting so many people, which officials say run into (m) millions of dollars. Another obstacle is the Bangladeshi government, which refuses to accept the returnees, saying they have Pakistani passports and identity cards. Pakistan, in turn, claims the documents are either fakes or obtained through bribes via Bengali middlemen. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/50e6b0cd3e1176cb10c58e7a6e4b0558 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

• published: 21 Jul 2015
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