KARACHI, March 31: Nazim Karachi Naimatullah Khan has said that the federal government has decided, in principle, that Bengalis living in Pakistan prior to 1971 would be given citizenship because they are Pakistanis.

Speaking at a ceremony in Rehmanabad (Gulberg town) on Sunday, he said the issue of citizenship would be taken up with the relevant authorities so that such persons are not harassed by the police. The Nazim regretted that the previous governments did not resolve this issue.

“Our viewpoint is that those Bengalis, who have been living here prior to 1971 be given Pakistani citizenship,” he said.

About Katchi Abadis in Karachi, Naimatullah Khan said “the Sindh Katchi Abadi Authority still exists and lease-work cannot be started until the SKAA is devolved and merged into the city government.”

He also spoke about unnecessary interference in the working of the city government.—APP