RIYADH: Pakistanis in Bahrain are feeling the heat. The death of Pakistani national Abdul Malik Qualam, 34, who was attacked when he was going to buy food in Manama, scared the Pakistanis living there. He was reportedly stabbed during a brawl with youths in a market.
A senior Pakistani engineer based in Manama told this correspondent that at least four Pakistanis had been beaten to death. However, no official confirmation of the above could be obtained.
Scores of Pakistanis gathered outside the Pakistan Embassy in Hoora asking the mission to arrange protection for the community.
Eight injured workers, who were reportedly attacked by unruly youths, also met embassy officials.
Several other Pakistanis came forward to say they were also attacked.
“These youths come to our house or flats and attack us with swords, knives and other lethal objects,” Gulf News quoted one Zafar Iqbal as saying.
Bakht Amin Khan, 30, was still wearing a blood-stained shirt because he said he was afraid of returning to his flat on the Shaikh Hamad Road, near the Police Fort.”
They knocked on the door and attacked me with a sword on my back,” he claimed.”
Another person had an iron rod, which he used to hit him.
“It was a group of about 50 youths who went on attacking people in the neighbourhood. We kept dialling 999, but no one picked up.”
In view of the situation in some areas, there were discussions within the community to shift families to the Pakistan Urdu School, while bachelors could be housed in the Pakistan Club.
“This is an option that embassy officials are discussing but are yet to finalise,” a community elder said.
The group of Pakistani workers also marched to the United Nations House in Hoora to file a complaint about the breach of their human rights.
Zahid Suleiman told the GDN they would not return to their homes because they could be attacked any time.
“Give us an assurance that no one will be attacked by these youths,” he said. “We left our families back in Pakistan and came here to earn a good living.”
Because of the situation, expatriates prefer to stay at home rather than go to work or venture outside amid fears for their safety.
Some said they were staying home because they were too scared they would be attacked by protesters or others in the street.
Those who went to their offices, not in the main financial centre of Manama, also returned after a couple of hours. Schools were technically closed and most children were staying home.
“People fear to go out and are only going for urgent things, my company gave me (time) off and we are all staying inside,” he said.
The beleaguered Prime Minister of Bahrain, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, stressed on Monday his country’s resolve to protect the expatriate community.
“Expatriates have legitimate rights, but above all personal security,” he said. India is reported to be closely monitoring the situation in Bahrain and has asked its nationals to keep low profile, stay indoors and avoid all non- essential travel within the country.
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