Pakistanis in Hong Kong
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| (17,253 (2011 Census)) | |
| Languages | |
| Urdu, Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Balochi, English and Cantonese. | |
| Religion | |
| Islam, minority Sikhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Irreligion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Pakistani diaspora |
Pakistanis in Hong Kong are an ethnic minority in Hong Kong numbering 17,253 persons according to the 2011 census.
Pakistanis first settled in Hong Kong in the 19th century when there was frequent trading between India and China.
The East India Company initially traded with Japan. British ships used for transportation mostly sailed in Chinese waters. It led to the rapid development of trade between the company and China. As the same time, there was growing of the trading ships pass the Hong Kong seaport. The merchant fleets were usually composed by sailors from Pakistan. In 1829, the trade reached its peak and the gate for the early Muslims settling down in Hong Kong had been opened since then.
The early seamen mostly came from the shores of Malabar (India), Bay of Bengal, Hazara (Abbottabad), Lahore, Gujarat and Campbellpur (Attock) in Pakistan. With Hong Kong beginning to develop into an important seaport for the British, more and more Pakistani seamen and garrisons were passing through and some settled here.
During the early 19th century, Pakistani lived together with the other Muslim seamen. They had no proper accommodation or dormitory but somehow they managed to stay well-knitted together in an area known as Lower Lascar Row - in the Central area, better known to the Hong Kong old timers as "Moro Kai".
"Moro Kai" was where they lived and their social practices such as Jamat (gathering) took place. They also started their business so they had their shops. Though they vacated their shops and residents years later, they had formed their community. As there were more Muslim garrisons stationing in Hong Kong later on, they began to form bodies to represent the various sections of the Muslim Society. And of course, Pakistanis were included.
Before 1947 when Pakistan was part British India, British Indians frequently migrated to British Hong Kong, A lot of them were from the area which is now known as Pakistan today, But right now some of them are counted as "Indians In Hong Kong"
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