Bangladesh-origin Pakistanis struggle without NIDs

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has raised concerns over the difficulties Bangladesh-origin Pakistani nationals face in accessing basic public services due to the lack of National Identity Cards.

He raised the issue during a meeting with Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Syed Mohsin Naqvi at the United Nations headquarters in New York on July 7, according to a statement from the Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the UN.

Foreign ministry officials said around 2 to 3 million Bangladesh-origin Pakistani nationals live mostly in Karachi. Many of them do not have Pakistani NID cards, which prevents them from properly accessing education, healthcare and other public services.

During the meeting, Salahuddin highlighted the humanitarian challenges faced by the community and stressed the need to address the issue.

The two ministers also discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in counter-narcotics operations and broader law enforcement activities.

They exchanged views on several regional and international issues, including the impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict on energy security, trade and regional stability. They also discussed capacity-building initiatives for their respective institutions.

Salahuddin also held separate meetings with Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Public Security, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Long, and UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary A DiCarlo.

In his meeting with Nguyen Van Long, Salahuddin discussed cooperation on migration management, consular services, trade expansion, and efforts to combat human trafficking and transnational crime.

During his meeting with DiCarlo, the home minister highlighted Bangladesh’s priorities in peacekeeping and peacebuilding.

He also called for sustained international support for the safe and dignified return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar. DiCarlo praised Bangladesh’s constructive role at the United Nations and its continued contribution to international peace and stability.