Australians in Pakistan

Australians in Pakistan
Total population
600 (2001)
Regions with significant populations
Islamabad · Karachi · Lahore
Languages
Australian English · Urdu
Religion
Christianity · Islam
Related ethnic groups
Australian diaspora

Australians in Pakistan comprise Australian citizens residing in Pakistan, which includes expatriates and immigrants, as well as their locally-born descendants.

History

Australian officials and military personnel were present in the region during the British Raj period, before the independence of Pakistan. Since the early twentieth century, Australian Defence Force soldiers have received military training at the Command and Staff College in Quetta. The first Australian attended the college in 1907. Notable Australian soldiers who graduated from the college include Field Marshal Thomas Blamey and Major-General George Alan Vasey.[1][2][3]

Demographics

There were over 600 Australians living in Pakistan as of late 2001, based on registrations with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.[4][5] By May 2002, this figure was at over 500.[6]

A small Australian community is based in Karachi, while the remaining are scattered in Islamabad, Lahore and other cities.[5]

Community

See also: Little Australia

Many Australian expatriates work for multinational companies. There are currently over 80 Australian companies from different sectors with operations in Pakistan, including large firms such as BHP.[7]

A small number of Australians work for development agencies and non-governmental organisations such as World Vision.[8] Others are social workers involved in various types of community work.[9]

For Australian expatriates living in Islamabad, the Coolabah Club attached with the Australian High Commission is a central social venue. The club has dining, swimming and recreational facilities, and a bar serving alcohol is also available for expatriates.[10][11] The community celebrates Australia Day and various other cultural festivities, which are hosted by the High Commission.[12]

Organisations

The Australian community is diplomatically represented and provided services by the Australian High Commission in Islamabad.[13] In addition, there is an Australian consulate in Karachi.[14][15] There is also an Australian Cultural Centre in Lahore that is administered by Australians. The centre provides English-language courses and promotes cultural relations between both countries.[16][17][18]

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ^ "100th anniversary: Quetta college remembers its Australian graduate". Express Tribune. 20 August 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  2. ^ "Pakistan country brief: Security cooperation". Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia). January 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  3. ^ Carr, Bob (19 June 2013). "Blazing trails: Australia and Pakistan". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  4. ^ Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia) (14 February 2001). "Estimates of Australian citizens living overseas as at December 2001" (PDF). Southern Cross Group. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 July 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  5. ^ a b Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia) (29 May 2002). "Estimated Number of Australians Overseas as 31 December 2001" (PDF). Southern Cross Group. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  6. ^ Skehan, Craig (24 May 2002). "Australian travellers urged to delay trips". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  7. ^ Singh, Col. Harjeet (2010). South Asia Defence and Strategic Year Book, 2010. Pentagon Press. p. 117. ISBN 9788182744448.
  8. ^ "Attack on World Vision offices in Pakistan". The Hon Stephen Smith MP (Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade). 11 March 2010. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  9. ^ Malik, Samia (27 July 2012). "Save our souls: Australians bring a tide of compassion to flood victims in Sindh". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  10. ^ Moore, Peter (2005). The Wrong Way Home. Random House. pp. 188–189. ISBN 9780553817003.
  11. ^ Clark, John (5 September 2011). "John Clark's Shiraz to Islamabad Review". Ride2Rescue. Archived from the original on 10 March 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  12. ^ "Australia comes to Karachi! Visit by Australian musicians to celebrate "Australia Day in Spring"". High Commission of Australia, Islamabad. 30 April 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  13. ^ "Australian High Commission, Islamabad". Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  14. ^ Pakistan: Embassies and consulates. Retrieved 1 March 2014. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  15. ^ "Embassies". GoAbroad. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  16. ^ "Australian Cultural Centre". Edufind. 8 October 2005. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  17. ^ "The Role of Muslim Women in Australian Society". University of Western Sydney. 19 April 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  18. ^ a b Mushtaq, Mariam (7 September 2014). "He came, he saw and he never left". The News on Sunday. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  19. ^ "I am leaving with fond memories: Whatmore". The Express Tribune. 1 February 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2014.