The Rohingya community in the Burma Colony neighborhood of Karachi, part of the larger 300,000-strong Rohingya population in the city, represents a poignant chapter in the history of displacement and resilience. Having fled persecution in Burma (modern-day Myanmar) and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) during the 1970s, many of these families have now seen three generations grow up in Pakistan. Despite their decades-long presence, integration into mainstream society remains incomplete.
While the community is relatively well integrated in Karachi’s socio-economic fabric, with many Rohingya working in labor-intensive jobs such as fishing, construction, and small-scale trading, significant challenges persist. Chief among these is the lack of official documentation. Without proper identification, many Rohingya face systemic barriers to accessing education, healthcare, and formal employment opportunities. Even though most were born in Pakistan, proving legal residency is an uphill battle, leaving them in a perpetual state of limbo.
Educational access is particularly restricted. Without documents, children are often denied entry into public schools, forcing many to rely on informal education networks. Similarly, adults without paperwork are pushed into precarious and poorly paid labor. These challenges underscore the community's struggle for recognition, rights, and a secure future, despite their significant contributions to Karachi’s economy and cultural diversity.
Third generation of Rohingya refugees from Burma attending high school in Burma Colony in Korangi district. Over 300,000 Rohingya and their descendants live in Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Although the first Rohingya refugees arrived 40 years ago in Pakistan, a lot of them still live on the edge of existance and without documents. Burma Colony in Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Tea stall where the Rohingya community gets together, Burma Colony in Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Rohingya refugees from Myanmar living in Burma Colony, Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Rohingya neighbourhood in Karachi, Hundred Quarters in Landhi, Pakistan, December 2016
The mainly Rohingya population of Burma Colony attending the last football match of the season of the local team. Burma Colony stadium, Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
A lot of the 300,000 strong Rohingya community of Pakistan is involved in fisheries like their ancestors in Burma. Burma Colony fish market, Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Private school for Rohingya children in Burma Colony. Karachi has a 300,000 strong Rohingya community that have settled there about 40 years ago. The majority of them have obtained Pakistanese citizenship through the years, however a substantial number still have no documents and remain stateless. Landhi district, Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
A Rohingya man, part of the first generation that came as a refugee from Burma end of the seventies. Arkanabad, Rohingya neighbourhood in Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Burma Colony neighbourhood home to a large part of the 250,000 strong Karachi Rohingya community. Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Rohingya children playing on an outdoor trampoline. Hundred Quarters in Korangi suburb of Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Children from the Rohingya comminity selling food. Hundred Quarters in Korangi part of greater Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
A Rohingya man, part of the first generation that came as a refugee from Burma end of the seventies. Arkanabad, Rohingya neighbourhood in Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Rohingya neighbourhood in Karachi, Hundred Quarters in Landhi, Pakistan, December 2016
Rohingya children playing. Hundred Quarters in Korangi suburb of Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Rohingya neighbourhood in Karachi, Arkanabad, Pakistan, December 2016
The mainly Rohingya population of Burma Colony attending the last football match of the season of the local team. Burma Colony stadium, Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Rohingya neighbourhood in Karachi, Arkanabad, Pakistan, December 2016
Rohingya family living in a one room appartment, Burma Colony in Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
A lot of the 300,000 strong Rohingya community of Pakistan is involved in fisheries like their ancestors in Burma. Burma Colony fish market, Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Third generation of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar attending high school in Burma Colony in Korangi district, Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
A lot of the 300,000 strong Rohingya community of Pakistan is involved in fisheries like their ancestors in Burma. Dry fish is very popular in Rohingya cuisine. Burma Colony fish market, Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Rohingya girl living in Ethihad Colony, a neigbourhood of Karachi where the first Rohingya refugees arrived 40 years ago from Myanmar. Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Attending the last football match of the season of the local Rohingya team. Burma Colony stadium, Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Rohingya living in Burma Colony a neigbourhood of Karachi where the first Rohingya refugees arrived 40 years ago from Myanmar. Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
A Rohingya market seller, Burma Colony, Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Private coranic school for Rohingya children in Korangi. Karachi has a 300,000 strong Rohingya community that have settled there about 40 years ago. The majority of them have obtained Pakistanese citizenship through the years, however a substantial number still have no documents and remain stateless. Landhi district, Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Rohingya children playing on an outdoor trampoline. Hundred Quarters in Korangi suburb of Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
The mainly Rohingya population of Burma Colony attending the last football match of the season of the local team. Burma Colony stadium, Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Cricket is king in Pakistan, even within the Rohingya community where football is equally popular. Kids playing cricket in the street. Burma Colony, Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Rohingya neighbourhood in Karachi, Burma Colony, Pakistan, December 2016
Rohingya kids having fun after school, Ziaul Colony, Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Stateless Rohingya living in Karachi who didn't obtain any documents yet. Bilal Colony in Korangi district, Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
The mainly Rohingya population of Burma Colony attending the last football match of the season of the local team. Burma Colony stadium, Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Bilal Colony, a majority Rohingya neighbourhood of Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
A lot of the 300,000 strong Rohingya community of Pakistan is involved in fisheries like their ancestors in Burma. Burma Colony fish market, Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Third generation of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar in Bilal Colony, Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Although the first Rohingya refugees arrived 40 years ago in Pakistan, a lot of them still live on the edge of existance and without documents. Bilal Colony in Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Although the first Rohingya refugees arrived 40 years ago in Pakistan, a lot of them still live on the edge of existance and without documents. Bilal Colony in Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Rohingya kids having fun after school, Ziaul Colony, Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Girl from the Rohingya comminity selling food. Bilal Colony in Korangi part of greater Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
Third generation of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar in Bilal Colony, Karachi, Pakistan, December 2016
