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.
Siddiq Anur, served in the British army during and after WWII in what is now known as Myanmar. Came to Karachi in 1978 during the first wave of ethnic cleansing against the Rohinya in Burma. His family claims he is 115 years old, in his nineties is probably more accurate. Arkanabad, Pakistan, March 2018
Rohingya neighbourhood of Hadri in Karachi, Pakistan, March 2018
Preparing the football pitch in Burma Colony, one of the largest Rohingya neighbourhood in Karachi, Pakistan, March 2018
Salem, a 23 year old third generation Rohingya was shot in a gun violence incident in Karachi. March 2018
Rohingya area Arkanabad, Karachi, Pakistan, March 2018
Rohingya neighbourhood in Karachi, Burma Colony, Pakistan, March 2018
Rohingya area of Bilal Colony in Korangi, Karachi, Pakistan, March 2018
Rohingya area Arkanabad, Karachi, Pakistan, March 2018
A lot of Rohingya residing in Karachi for the past forty years live of fishing and related industries. Hadri jetty in Korangi, Karachi, Pakistan, March 2018
A lot of Rohingya residing in Karachi for the past forty years live of fishing and related industries. Karachi, Pakistan, March 2018
Ice cream time, Rohingya area of Arkanabad, Karachi, Pakistan, March 2018
Rohingya neighbourhood in Karachi, Burma Colony, Pakistan, March 2018
A boy sorting out fishing nets. A lot of Rohingya in Karachi for the past forty years make a living of fishing and related industries. Arkanabad, Pakistan, March 2018
A lot of Rohingya residing in Karachi for the past forty years live of fishing and related industries. Hadri jetty in Korangi, Karachi, Pakistan, March 2018
Rohingya area of Bilal Colony in Korangi, Karachi, Pakistan, March 2018
Street football in the Rohingya neighbourhood of Burma Colony, Pakistan, March 2018
Kamal arrived in 1976 in Karachi from Buthidaung in Burma. He has been living ever since in Pakistan. He has not had any contact with his relatives in Burma since the ethnic cleansing operations of 2017 in Burma. Bilal Colony, Karachi, March 2018
Kids watching a football game in Burma Colony, the largest Rohingya settlement in Karachi, Pakistan, March 2018
Children play, Rohingya area of Bilal Colony in Korangi, Karachi, Pakistan, March 2018
Rohingya area of Bilal Colony in Korangi, Karachi, Pakistan, March 2018
Boy selling street food, Rohingya area of Arkanabad, Karachi, Pakistan, March 2018
Rohingya area of Bilal Colony in Korangi, Karachi, Pakistan, March 2018
Habib Ullah, 47 year old arrived in 1981 as a 11 year boy from Maungdaw in Burma. He is a fisherman in Karachi. He has family near Maungdaw but has had no sign of life for the past year. Arkanabad, Karachi, Pakistan, March 2018
Rohingya area of Bilal Colony in Korangi, Karachi, Pakistan, March 2018
Rohingya girl of the 3rd generation living in Pakistan, Arkanabad, Karachi, March 2018
Rohingya area Arkanabad, Karachi, Pakistan, March 2018
Alam from Maungdaw in Myanmar, arrived 40 years ago in Karachi as a refugee. Has still family in Myanmar that recently fled to Bangladesh. Arkanabad neighbourhood, Karachi, March 2018
Kids selling street food, Rohingya area of Arkanabad, Karachi, Pakistan, March 2018
Rohingya area Arkanabad, Karachi, Pakistan, March 2018
Children sorting out fishing nets. A lot of Rohingya in Karachi for the past forty years make a living of fishing and related industries. Arkanabad, Pakistan, March 2018
Rohingya area Arkanabad, Karachi, Pakistan, March 2018
Saddam and his mother is a third generation Rohingya. About 300,000 people of Rohingya origin live in Karachi, the largest city of Pakistan. March 2018
Kids watching a football game in Burma Colony, the largest Rohingya settlement in Karachi, Pakistan, March 2018
