Bengali speakers deserve full respect, says president

E-Paper | March 11, 2026

KARACHI: President Mamnoon Hussain on Sunday gave assurance to the Bengali speaking people of the country that their problems would be solved on a priority basis.

“They are genuine Pakistanis who gave lots of sacrifices for Pakistan,” he said while speaking to a delegation of Pak Muslim Alliance, led by Khwaja Salman Khairuddin and Nasir Mehmood, who called on him at the President House here on Sunday.

Read: The woes of Bengalis, Burmese and Iranians of Karachi

The president said no citizen of the country would be deprived of a computerised national identity card.

“Nadra should resolve if there is any issue in issuance of CNICs to the Bengali speaking citizens. They are equal citizens and deserve full respect and honour,” he added.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2018

Pakistan

Nationalists criticised for demanding Bengalis’ repatriation

Revisiting 1971: The crow is white, Bengal is Pakistan

This week 50 years ago: Bengali language college and books’ exhibition

Jalbani Baloch

Apr 02, 2018 10:24am

Stop influx of people from other provinces to Karachi and shift all the existing Bengalis, Burmese, Iranis from Karachi to Gawadar, which is in the process of development and require a large number of workers. This will lessen the burden of population on Karachi and pave the way for peace and harmony amongst Sindhis and Uurdu Speaking Sindhis. Efforts may also be made to stop the migration of Punjabis and Pukhtoons to Sindh province or at least deny them the right of vote in other province.

Recommend 0

Amin U Ansari

Apr 02, 2018 10:24am

I fully agree. Muslim League was founded in Dhaka. They are as patriotic as anyone else.

Recommend 0

sethi

Apr 02, 2018 10:44am

better late than never

Recommend 0

ahmed

Apr 02, 2018 11:01am

Why is there any issue regarding cnic in the first place? shame on nadra!

Recommend 0

Rizwan Alam

Apr 02, 2018 11:03am

Bengalis contribution in the making and strengthening of Pakistan must be highlighted. Those who willingly chose to stay and made Pakistan their home must be treated and considered Pakistani

Recommend 0

SATT

Apr 02, 2018 11:18am

There are also Biharis.

Recommend 0

Saif Sherazi

Apr 02, 2018 11:43am

No arguments here. Pakistani media should continue to highlight the problems faced by Bengali speaking people in Pakistan. Their issues should get resolved on a priority basis.

Recommend 0

Faheem

Apr 02, 2018 11:54am

Mr. President, hope your instructions gets implemented, does someone listen to you?.

Recommend 0

Asian Tiger

Apr 02, 2018 12:48pm

@Jalbani Baloch Truly agree with you...

Recommend 0

Madeeh

Apr 02, 2018 12:57pm

@Jalbani Baloch Gawadar has no water.

Recommend 0

Madeeh

Apr 02, 2018 12:58pm

@jalbani and stop being so racial minded for a day in your life. World will look far less aggravating and far more elegant and beautiful.

Recommend 0

MSQAZI

Apr 02, 2018 01:02pm

Population has never been a curse, rather it an an oppurtunity for the mega development.Only issue the proper function of city maintenance department.

Recommend 0

Asif Pervaiz

Apr 02, 2018 01:27pm

@Jalbani Baloch What a ridiculous idea. You say that as if they were cattle, not humans or communities. Why don't you also cordon them when they reach Gwadar.

Recommend 0

ali

Apr 02, 2018 01:54pm

They are muslims and our brothers as well.

Recommend 0

Frank

Apr 02, 2018 02:37pm

Illegal Bengalis and Burmese in Karachi should be deported back to Bangladesh.

Recommend 0

Asghar Ali

Apr 02, 2018 02:46pm

@Jalbani Baloch can't agree more.

Recommend 0

Parvez

Apr 02, 2018 02:57pm

Completely agree .....

Recommend 0

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Apr 02, 2018 04:30pm

100 percent true, excellent, genuine, correct, bold, penetrating and long over due statement by the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistsn. Keep it up and hang on tough.

Recommend 0