Pakistanis in Switzerland

Pakistanis in Switzerland
Total population
(3,000 (2004))
Regions with significant populations
Zürich · Bern
Languages
Urdu · Punjabi · English · French / German / Italian · others
Religion
Islam
Related ethnic groups
Overseas Pakistani

Pakistanis in Switzerland consist of migrants from Pakistan to Switzerland and their descendants. As of 2004, there were 3,000 Pakistani nationals living in the country.[1] The community is one of the largest among Muslims in Switzerland. Many Pakistani expatriates entered the country as political asylum seekers.[2] They are concentrated predominately in Zürich and Bern. There are a small number of Pakistani scientists working at CERN.[3][4]

In addition, Pakistan maintains an important diplomatic presence in Switzerland through its embassy as well as a Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva. There is a Swiss Pakistan Society, a non-political and non-denominational organisation of Pakistani nationals living in Switzerland.

The small Ahmadiyya movement in Switzerland was initially established and run by founders from Pakistan. There are a number of Pakistanis working as high-tech experts in information technology and the health sector. In 2008, while discussing the launch of the Swiss art and film festival in Karachi, the Swiss ambassador to Pakistan praised the contributions of the community and conversed on extending more opportunities in the future.[5]

Notable people

References

  1. ↑ Yearbook 2004-2005: Overseas Pakistanis Foundation
  2. ↑ Meeting the Pakistani-Swiss: Chowk Travel
  3. ↑ CERN and Pakistan: A Personal Perspective (CERN Courier)
  4. ↑ CERN and Pakistan consolidate their partnership: CERN DS
  5. ↑ Swiss art and film festival on its way to Karachi: Pakistan Daily
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