Biharis also refers to the natives or citizens of Bihar state of independent India (including non-Mulsims). For other uses, see Bihar (disambiguation). ...

In pre-independence India, the Biharis were an Urdu-speaking Muslim minority in the Hindu region of Bihar. In 1947, at the time of partition, the Biharis moved to what was then East Pakistan. When civil war broke out between East and West Pakistan, the Biharis, who consider themselves Pakistani, sided with West Pakistan. In 1971, however, East Pakistan became the independent state of Bangladesh. The Biharis were left behind as the Pakistani army and civilians evacuated and found themselves unwelcome in both countries. Pakistan feared a mass influx of Biharis could destabilize a fragile and culturally mixed population, and Bangladesh scorned the Biharis for having supported the enemy. With neither country offering citizenship, the Biharis (also called stranded Pakistanis) have remained stateless for 36 years.The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is not addressing the plight of the Biharis. An estimated 250,000 to 500,000 Biharis live in 66 camps in 13 regions across Bangladesh. The phrase Zaban-e Urdu-e Mualla written in Urdu Urdu () is an Indo-European language of the Indo-Aryan family that developed under Persian, Turkish, Hindi, and Arabic influence in South Asia during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire (1200-1800). ... For other uses, see Bihar (disambiguation). ... 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1947 calendar). ... East Pakistan was a former province of Pakistan which existed between 1955 and 1971. ... Independent (as part of Pakistan) from British Empire - August 14, 1947 Separated from East Pakistan as Pakistan - March 26, 1971 Capital Karachi Language Urdu, English West Pakistan consisted of the western part of Pakistan from 1947 until 1971, when East Pakistan became Bangladesh and West Pakistan became the present-day... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1971 calendar). ... Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (established December 14, 1950) protects and supports refugees at the request of a government or the United Nations and assists in their return or resettlement. ...

See Also

• Foreign relations of Pakistan

Pakistan is the second largest Muslim country in terms of population, and its status as a declared nuclear power, being the only Islamic nation to have that status, plays a part in its international role. ...

References

• Citizens of Nowhere by Refugee International 2006 Report.
• Minorities at Risk-University of Maryland,USA
• Refugees International
• Stateless people In Bangladesh
• Stranded Pakistanis.org
• South Asian forum for Human Rights-The Bihari Refugees

Links

• Mixed feelings over Bihari ruling---2003---BBC
• PRC Wants Urgent Steps for Biharis’ Repatriation-2005---Arab News
• Govt opposes repatriation of Biharis-2004----Khaleej Times
• MQM demands issuance of CNICs to Biharis-2004---Dawn
• Vote for 'stranded Pakistanis'----BBC
• India helps stranded Pakistanis return---BBC
• Musharraf said while he had every sympathy for the plight of thousands of people in Bangladesh known as 'stranded Pakistanis', he could not allow them to emigrate to Pakistan----BBC