The Picture Gallery – Urdu-Speaking Minority in Bangladesh

The Law of Abandoned Properties by M. I. Farooqui outlines how, following Bangladesh’s liberation, several presidential ordinances enabled the government to seize Bihari homes, businesses, jewelry, automobiles, and valuables, labeling them as abandoned enemy properties. These assets were subsequently distributed among local Bengalis. Reports indicate that an eight-volume catalog of such properties was compiled and published.

Stateless Are Exploited in All Lands.

The author discovered this ad in a Houston community newspaper, marking the beginning of efforts for the Stranded Pakistanis.

Advocates of Stranded Pakistanis

Our petition was prepared by March 22, 201, and we submitted it before the end of the month.

Late Dr. Khursheed Hasan from Abbottabad was known for his kindness and compassion. In early March, we learned of a petition he sponsored and went to meet him. His family had migrated from East Punjab, and he was empathetic towards the plight of stranded Pakistanis. May he rest in peace. April 2010.

Ms. Loraine Mirza,(on the right) an experienced and dedicated journalist who worked with Pacifica Radio in California. She made several trips to Bangladesh & Pakistan, learned and told the the story of Stranded Pakistanis like no one else. Author of Internment Camps of Bangladesh. (Irvine, CA 2005)

Mr. Qutubuddin Aziz, MD, United Press Int. A graduate of the London School of Economics (1949). A distinguished diplomat who served at the Pakistan High Commission in London and is the author of “Blood and Tears: Eyewitness Accounts of Atrocities on Pakistanis” (Irvine, CA 2005).

Ain ul Haq

I unexpectedly met Mr. Ain Ul Haq at a presentation I gave for Stranded Pakistanis at a hotel in Karachi. He appeared unremarkable, except for the 100-pound chains he was wearing.

Mr. Haq was likely still an adolescent in 1971 when thirty-two members of his extended clan were killed by Awami League thugs. I felt as though I had found my long-lost brother.

Some how he survived and made it back to Pakistan. But his experiences were life changing. When I saw him 25 years after catastrophe, he was still in mourning for his loss. gic as it is peculiar. Thirty two members of greater clan were butchered, He must have been a young man back then.

Mr. Haq He never got over his loss. As a sign of mourning, he wears 100 lbs of chains at all times and lives in a graveyard, making tombstones for a living.

To Mr. Haq his loss was real, personal and unforgettable. Didn’t get a chance to hear his story of how he managed to escape to Pakistan. Perhaps to this day he lives with the guilt of survival.

Mr. Haq a most remarkable man.

Camp Views

It was an entirely different fate that awaited the Stranded Pakistanis. The people who loyal to Pakistan and helped the Army in numerous way left to face Bengali wrath unarmed. Thousands were killed at the hands of angry mobs. Their officers told them as soon as the war is over you can come to Pakistan & never looked back.

After surrendering to Indian Army, 45,000 active service Pakistan armed forces, their families and West Pakistanis were delivered in to safe custody of the Indian Armed forces and transported to POW camps in India.

Pakistan stabbed the Stranded Pakistanis in the back, there is scarcely is another example of such treachery of state against citizens.

Children of Camps

Only 2 out of 100 kids ever see inside of a make shift school and very few actually get past grade 10.

As parents work, children are left to care for their siblings.

Stranded Pakistanis are often the lowest-paid labor force, with everyone compelled to find work. (Loraine Mirza Collection)

The day an NGO or wealthy individual decides to distribute food is a happy day in the camps.

Many women from the camp work in affluent Bengali homes for less than minimum wage.

For decades, the United Nations Refugee Organization has provided families with only a few kilograms of rice for survival.

About a decade ago, those rations were also discontinued.

Camps house thousands in an area slightly larger than a football field.

Any people you might see in camps wearing famous brand names, these are used clothes its onlyas used clothes and hand me downs.

Since there is no safe water supply, water born diseases like cholera and typhoid are common.

No we have never seen a playground. You may think it an exaggeration but that is the reality in the most densely populated city of most densely populated country.

They are facing the wrong if what’s in the background is a black board.

A Picture of innocence oblivious of ugly fate.

Diseases take many lives before they have left mother’s lap. lap.

Clinic

Disease

Education in Camps

Stranded Pakistanis aren’t admitted to public schools. One Stranded Pakistani kid got admission to public schools.

Many kids learn to read Quaran from neighbor aunties.

Another child taking baby step to learning the Quran..

Education is the crying need of this community. Many overseas Pakistanis have started schools in camps.

A picture of girls schools in Bogra. Students are exceptionally devoted to study. In fact one girl has managed to get admission to medical school.

Schools in the camps aren’t recognized by educatiEducation is poor man’s capital with education comes empowerment, opportunities and employment and a way to escape poverty.

A bright student being awarded.

Family Life

Each home sets up a kitchen in nooks and alleys of camp.

There is neither gas nor LPG in camps. Most homes use broken twigs, leaves, wood waste collected from road sides. Being moist it is hard burn.

Naturally there is no running water or clothes washers. Clothes have to be washed by hand using meagre supply of water.

A lean to with one side open to wind and water is this family’s home.

Animals and people co-habitating in the same space.

This west Pakistani man married a camp women and abandoned her two weeks later inside a hotel. Skipping the bill. (Loraine Mirza Collection)

Early picture of a family from ICRC archives.

(Loraine Mirza Collection)

Sleep where one can find space to stretch.

Fires

One of two kids killed in collapse of a hut in the camp.

What’s left after a camp fire. These camps are located on valuable land, private interests are eager to build commercial properties on these lands.

Two partially burnt bodies of a hut.

Fires in these camps are nearly of unknown origin.

These few pictures are from great fire in Geneva Camp.

One of the great burnt down most of the camp, the fire brigade can be seen parked safe distance from the devastating fire.

Another baby killed in camp fire.

Victim’s remains after the fire.

View of Geneva day after the great fire.

Food Distribution

Garbage

Gift fo Pakistani Brothers

As poor and deprived as stranded Pakistanis are they took up a collection and sent flood relief supplies for flood victims in 2005 in Pakistan.

Stranded Pakistanis never fail to celebrate national holidays of Pakistan or cheer for Pakistan’s cricket team. One sees Pakistan’s flying in some places.

Go ahead read, PIA refused to carry relief supplies from Stranded Pakistanis to Pakistan.

Leaders NP

Quaid e Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Recognized mkost eminent leader of Indian Muslims, Founder of Pakistan. Ver few know that the title of Quaid e Azam was bestowed upon him by people of Bihar during a public meeting in Pre-partition India.

A brilliant leader, best known for his opposition to hand over power to elected majority in the eastern wing.

Mrs. Indra Ghandi, PM of India.

Pakistan’s Commander in Chief, and Martial Law Administrator, under whose leadership greatest defeat of any Muslim Army in history took place.

Making a Living

On account of poverty no one is exempt from work. Small children, women, old men everyone must work for survival.

Sarees and clothes produced by these child laborers sell at high prices all over the country and beyond.

People of camps press into service whatever skill, resources and space into making a meagre living.

This handsome boys works all day making boxes and envelopes.

Seeing school age working long hours for a pittance is heart breaking.

Another crafts man of camps busy making a living.

Everyone does what they can to keep the wolf away.

Some sell home made food. Unfortunately the buyers in camp are as poor as the sellers.

Selling hot of the range snacks.

Vendors of Edibles can eat their products if sales don’t go well.

Old Granny’s Store.

Trying to make a living.

Saree weaver.

Creating decorated Sarees and wedding dresses.

Most polite letter of an 86 year old , former Railway employee regarding his pension. And petition to be invited for Independence Day celebrations at Pakistan embassy.

Dozens of men from camps make a living pulling people in cycle rickshaws.

The President of Pakistan, Gen. Zia ul Haque, during a visit to Bangladesh, and a public address promised to repatriate every last Pakistani, “Even if I have to carry you on my back”. Upon return to Pakistan stated that Pakistan already has too many beggars and doesn want to increase their numbers by allowing Stranded Pakistanis to return home.

Snack vendor

Vege stall

Maps NP

Mian Chunno

In early ninties PML(N) government allocated land to accommodate Stranded Pakistani returnees in 13 districts of Punjab, where opposition to their repatriation was not as strident as in Sindh. Under this plan 1000 housing units were built in Mian Chunno in Punjab.

Only one plane load with 35 families arrived and bomb blast took place in Khairpur. The repatriation plan was shelved for fear of violence.

Every face has a story. Massacres took place all over Bangladesh including a small town Santahar. I asked this man how he survived. Awami League gangs were roaming the streets killing and looting. This man climbed up a ladder and hid inside a water tank near the train station. He stayed there for three days and nights, with out food. Once he sensed the killer were gone he came out and made his way to Dhaka.

Carefree faces of young children were a delight to see.

The idea of bringing poor big city dweller’s, to a mainly agricultural area was a poor idea. This housing was some distance the town. A town with little employment, the returnees had no agricultural experience and owned no land. Even local go to nearby town and cities to find work.

The Pakora seller in Mian Chunno.

Rabita Trust established with cooperation of Saudi charity Rabita Alam al Islami

A small store operator in Mian Chunno.

The local grave yard

Many got their wish to live and be buried in Pakistan.

Mukti Bahini

Naseem Khan NP

Old Men

Every man, women and some children have stories buried deep in their bosom.

After surrender of Pakistan forces AL mobs had run of the place no one was safe. This man needed to get from Chatogram to Dhaka but had no money and feared for his life. He lived in a poor part of town . He came up with a plan. There was a rain water pond in his neighborhood. He came out of his hut wearing nothing but a lungi. He headed straight for the pond jumped right in. Smeared his entire body with mud, algae and muck. He acted crazy and stood by the rood. He saw a bus for Dhaka, he pretended to wanna enter the bus, but people wouldn’t let him. So he climbed on the luggage ladder the entire time. And that’s how he made it to Dhaka safely.

Protests

Citizens demanding repatriation to Pakistan were dealt with an iron fist and live bullets.

Stranded Pakistanis demonstrated and protest in Pakistan and Bangladesh for repatriation to Pakistan. The government of Pakistan turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to every effort and plea of her citizens.

Even the land where returning Pakistanis settled with their own efforts was donated by journalist “Raes Amrohi”.

This boy’s father was killed by police in a camp. His mother wanted her son to live. She told him to leave for Pakistan on foot. He got together with 9 friends, and walked 1100 miles to Pakistan. All of his friends were killed in accidents, or by security forces he was the only one who made it to Pakistan alive.

Hear the full story of the Ship of the damned and the long March

Shelter

Sick & Injured

SPGRC

12th Annual Conference of SPGRC

I visited Bangladesh, in 2004, for a week, I was invited to speak at 12th annual conference of SPGRC. Grateful for the honor. From numerous sources I knew the state of Stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh. I went so no one could say no one could assert you have never there you don’t know the reality.

SPGRC Stranded Pakistanis General Repatriation Committee, headed by Mr. Nasim Khan, communicated and negotiated on behalf of Stranded Pakistanis with anyone who was willing to speak to them. GOP, GOB, UNHCR, The Red Cross, Visiting Pakistani Officials, Foreign and Local NGO’s, Philanthropic individuals, Journalists, Writers what have you.

A retired employee of Railways took it upon himself to organize the community, spoke and met most visitor to the camps, and continued pressing for repatriation of all stranded Pakistanis until his dyeing day.

SPGRC had an office at the Geneva camp and brought together the affectees for regular meetings, appointed representatives in many camps, received reports of events, organized protests, coordinated relief efforts etc.

The internment camps first established to save the stranded Pakistani from angry, blood thirsty mobs. These temporary places of refuge have become permanent purgatory. These 63 camps spread all over Bangladesh get steady stream of local, domestic and foreign visitors. Some curiosity seekers, others interested in helping this community personally or on behalf of their organizations. All are welcomed warmly, appraised of conditions, many are never heard from ever again.

Toilets

Torture & Executions

Dead Body of a Razakar thrown on the railway track to warn other what may happen to them if they joined the voluntary force organized by Pakistan Army.

A Razakar identity card

Ecstasy of Victory: Indian Army Marches in to Bangladesh.

Infamy of defeat: Gen. A.A. K. Niazi signing document of surrender

Mukti Bahini takes a prisoner

Prisoner interrogation

Four alleged razakars are brought to a public meeting in Dhaka Stadium

18 Dec 1971, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Bodies of four Pakistani militia members (Razakars) following their execution at Dhaka Stadium during a large public gathering. Image by © Christian Simonpietri/Sygma/Corbis

In newly independent Bangladesh, guerrillas in Dacca use bayonets Dec. 18, 1971 to torture and kill four men suspected of collaborating with Pakistani militiamen who had been accused of murder, rape and looting during months of civil war. (AP Photo/Horst Faas, Michel Laurent)

22 Dec 1971, Dhaka, Bangladesh — Men who collaborated with the Pakistani Army being executed at a racetrack in Dacca by Indian guerillas, Pakistan, 1971. — Image by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS

02 Jan 1972, Dacca, Bangladesh — Aftermath. Dacca, Bangladesh: A mother comforts her son, said to be dying of cholera, at the Adam Jee Jute Hall, ten miles south of Dacca, January 2. Injections were being given against the disease. In New Delhi, January 10, Sheikh Mujidur Rahman of Bangladesh, speaking to thousands of Indians at a rally, said, “I am aware that the people of India are by no means very rich, yet they gave food, shelter, succor, and fed millions of our people, which could not be but by sacrificing their own needs. We will never forget this.” — Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS

16 Dec 1971, Dhaka, Bangladesh — Execution in a stadium in Dhaka of five “Razakars,” members of a pro-Pakistani militia regarded as collaborators by the Bengalis. — Image by © Christian Simonpietri/Sygma/Corbis

01 Apr 1971, Benapole, East Pakistan — Benapole, East Pakistan: Severed head of a West Pakistan army officer is displayed by crowd in this town near the Indian border. Intense hatred of the Bengalis of the East for the Western Pakistanis resulted in six soldiers in the eastern part of the country being killed by members of a militia group calling themselves the East Pakistan rifles. Mobs of villagers then rushed to Indian border posts where they exhibited the severed heads. — Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS

Unemployment

Water Supply

Women & Children