Pakistani people have been in London for over 50 years and the young people are creating their own new identity
Britain's Pakistani community is one of the oldest and largest Pakistani communities outside of Pakistan, with over 100,000 people in London.
Evidence of people from the four main provinces in Pakistan: Punjabis, Pathans, Sindhis and Baluchis can be seen mainly in east London, with a concentration around Waltham Forest, Newham and Southall.
Pakistani people first arrived in the late 1950s or early 60s and the men came to work so they could support their families in Pakistan. Entrepreneurial Pakistanis opened grocery stores, sold spices, chappatti flour and halal meat to cater for their community.
They were soon followed by a variety of different types of businesses. For example, clothing shops, video shops renting Indian films and nowadays, taxi driving. Property ownership has also been a popular business. Owning property increases the status of the owner amongst his fellow Pakistanis.
These well-established and settled communities include first generation immigrants, now reaching old age, and a booming third generation of British-born Asians. Over the years thousands of Asians of Pakistani descent have settled in the Borough of Newham, in towns like East Ham, Stratford, Manor Park, Upton Park and Forest Gate.
They form a vital part of the community and have made significant contributions to the local economy.
Although the national language is Urdu, the main language is Punjabi with English now spoken as a first language by young Pakistanis.
London’s Pakistani community is mainly Muslim, with some Christians. The community is now well established in British culture and is undergoing a period of change as the generation who are born in the UK establish their own unique identity.
Britain's Pakistani community is one of the oldest and largest Pakistani communities outside of Pakistan, with over 100,000 people in London.
Evidence of people from the four main provinces in Pakistan: Punjabis, Pathans, Sindhis and Baluchis can be seen mainly in east London, with a concentration around Waltham Forest, Newham and Southall.
Pakistani people first arrived in the late 1950s or early 60s and the men came to work so they could support their families in Pakistan. Entrepreneurial Pakistanis opened grocery stores, sold spices, chappatti flour and halal meat to cater for their community.
They were soon followed by a variety of different types of businesses. For example, clothing shops, video shops renting Indian films and nowadays, taxi driving. Property ownership has also been a popular business. Owning property increases the status of the owner amongst his fellow Pakistanis.
These well-established and settled communities include first generation immigrants, now reaching old age, and a booming third generation of British-born Asians. Over the years thousands of Asians of Pakistani descent have settled in the Borough of Newham, in towns like East Ham, Stratford, Manor Park, Upton Park and Forest Gate.
They form a vital part of the community and have made significant contributions to the local economy.
Although the national language is Urdu, the main language is Punjabi with English now spoken as a first language by young Pakistanis.
London’s Pakistani community is mainly Muslim, with some Christians. The community is now well established in British culture and is undergoing a period of change as the generation who are born in the UK establish their own unique identity.
Comments
Post a Comment
Thanks for leaving comments. You are making this discussion richer and more beneficial to everyone. Do not hold back.