Stranded Pakistanis
Photo:Munir uz Zaman / driknews
ABMS Zahur is factually behind the times when he writes (5 June, Point Counterpoint) : "However, even now a majority of the stranded Biharis would like to be repatriated to Pakistan because of cultural affinity with Pakistanis, separated families, and lack of educational facilities, employment and civic amenities that are available to regular citizens in Bangladesh." In a 1999 survey by the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit, 86.4 percent said they would opt for Bangladeshi citizenship. In a 2005 Survey by Al-Falah, 85 percent preferred to live in Bangladesh. Moreover, 82 percent perceived themselves as Bangladeshis. The ongoing "Dhaka Initiative" survey suggests that more than 90 percent of the "Biharis" favour Bangladeshi reintegration. In a 2005 consultation meeting on the "Urdu speaking community's own perception about their future in Bangladesh" most of the speakers from 11 Bihari organisations said that large or overwhelming majority of the settlement occupants considered themselves to be Bangladeshis and wanted rehabilitation with dignity. So the bottom line is that repatriation is not on the priority list - if indeed it is on the list at all. The fact of the matter is that the insecurity, discrimination and the helplessness of camp life are some of the motives for harking back to this "idyll" called Pakistan.
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