Pakistani Canadians

There is no official classification of Pakistani Canadians. However, they are usually defined by Asian or South Asian.

{{Historical populations| 2001 |74,015| 2006|124,730| 2011|155,310| 2016|215,555|2021|303,260}}

Punjabi people from the Punjab region that would later become Pakistan were among the pioneers who migrated from British India to British Columbia at the turn of the century. By 1905, as many as 200 participated in the building of that first community from modern-day Pakistan, which for a time had a small makeshift mosque in Vancouver. But most of these immigrants were sojourners rather than settlers, and they either returned to Pakistan in 1947 or moved on to the United States. Subsequently, Canada imposed a ban on South Asian immigration that remained in place until after World War II.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

Pakistanis began migrating to Canada in small numbers in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Immigration regulations gave preference to those with advanced education and professional skills, and the Pakistanis who came during this period, and throughout the 1960s, generally had excellent credentials. Many of them considered themselves to be sojourners, who had come to earn but not to settle or were students who intended to return home when their degree programs were completed. While some went back, others remained to become the founding members of the Pakistani-Canadian community.{{cite web|title=Loss of security alarms Pakistani Canadian|url=http://www.southasianfocus.ca/printArticle/40638|access-date=22 January 2011|archive-date=2 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702054126/https://www.bramptonguardian.com/brampton-on-news/|url-status=live}} [http://karygiannismp.com/6thlossofsecurityalarms.pdf Alt URL] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713135709/http://karygiannismp.com/6thlossofsecurityalarms.pdf |date=13 July 2011 }}

Pakistani nationals were registered in undergraduate and graduate programs at McGill University in Montreal as early as 1949, and at the University of Toronto from 1958 on. By the mid-1950s, there were five or six Pakistani families living in Montreal in addition to the students. This was probably the then largest concentration of Pakistanis in the country. Throughout the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s most who arrived were young men pursuing graduate or professional studies.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

Pakistanis have integrated well into Canadian society, partly due to the Canadian Government's policies and assistance given to all immigrants settling in the country.{{cite book|title=The Muslim Community in North America|page=133}}

{{Main|Islam in Canada}}

Most Pakistani Canadians are Muslims.{{cite web|url=http://www.prb.org/pdf14/2014-world-population-data-sheet_eng.pdf|title=2014 World Population Data|access-date=16 October 2015|archive-date=18 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218233032/http://www.prb.org/pdf14/2014-world-population-data-sheet_eng.pdf|url-status=live}} Religion figures prominently in the lives of Pakistani Canadian families. The majority of Pakistanis belong to the Sunni sect of Islam;{{cite book|url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=bUgRw_az31QC |page=127 }} |title=The Muslim community in North America |access-date=22 January 2011}} Pakistani Canadians also participate in and contribute to the larger Islamic community, which includes Arab Canadians, Iranian Canadians, Turkish Canadians, and Asian Canadians.{{cite web |url=http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/Products/Analytic/companion/rel/canada.cfm |title=96F0030XIE2001015 – Religions in Canada |publisher=2.statcan.ca |access-date=22 January 2011 |archive-date=5 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505034659/http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/analytic/companion/rel/canada.cfm |url-status=live }}

Islamic Pakistani Canadians have played important roles in many organizations, including:

• Anjuman Burhani – Dawoodi Bohra Muslim Community{{cite web|url=http://torontojamat.com/|title=Welcome To Anjuman-E-Burhani (Toronto) Website|website=torontojamat.com|access-date=16 October 2015|archive-date=16 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016070303/http://torontojamat.com/|url-status=live}}
• Canadian Islamic Congress{{cite web|url=http://www.canadianislamiccongress.com/|title=Canadian Islamic Congress -|website=Canadian Islamic Congress|access-date=19 April 2014|archive-date=25 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725141016/http://www.canadianislamiccongress.com/|url-status=live}}
• Canadian Shia Muslim Organization{{cite web|url=http://www.theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/canadian_shia_muslim_organization/0018500|title=The American Muslim (TAM)|website=www.theamericanmuslim.org|access-date=16 October 2015|archive-date=11 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911073010/http://www.theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/canadian_shia_muslim_organization/0018500|url-status=live}}
• Islamic Society of North America{{cite web|url=http://www.isna.net/|title=Home – ISNA|website=ISNA|access-date=16 October 2015|archive-date=17 October 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041017011936/http://isna.net/|url-status=live}}
• Muslim Association of Canada{{cite web|url=http://www.macnet.ca/English/Pages/Home.aspx|title=MAC – Home|first=Muslim Association of|last=canada|website=www.macnet.ca|access-date=7 November 2014|archive-date=2 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102194926/http://www.macnet.ca/English/Pages/Home.aspx|url-status=live}}
• Muslim Canadian Congress{{Cite web|url=http://muslimcanadiancongress.info/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404031413/http://muslimcanadiancongress.info/|url-status=dead|title=The MCC Mission|archivedate=4 April 2014|website=muslimcanadiancongress.info}}
• Muslim Student Association of Canada[http://muslimcanadiancongress.info/ Muslim Student Association of Canada] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404031413/http://muslimcanadiancongress.info/ |date=4 April 2014 }}

Ahmadyya Muslim Community {{Cite web|title=Muslim Canadian Congress|url=http://muslimcanadiancongress.info/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404031413/http://muslimcanadiancongress.info/|archive-date=4 April 2014|access-date=16 May 2014}}{{Cite web|title=MSA National|url=https://www.msanational.org/|access-date=2021-07-02|website=MSA National|language=en-US|archive-date=2 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702054120/https://www.msanational.org/|url-status=live}}

Most Pakistani Canadians speak English or French. However, many also speak a second or third language, as they often tend to keep hold of their native tongues, which includes Urdu, Punjabi.{{Cite web |date=2016-05-09 |title=Census Stirs Urdu-Punjabi Languages Clash Within Pakistani Community |url=https://www.huffpost.com/archive/ca/entry/canada-census-2016_b_9866578 |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Canadian authorities requested to include Urdu, Punjabi Shahmukhi in Canadian census – Ministry of Foreign Affairs |newspaper=Ministry of Foreign Affairs |date=18 May 2021 |url=https://mofa.gov.pk/canadian-authorities-requested-to-include-urdu-punjabi-shahmukhi-in-canadian-census/ |access-date=2022-11-03 |language=en-US}}

Figures from the 2021 Canadian Census from StatsCan indicate that there are 303,260 Canadians who claim Pakistani ancestry.{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2022-02-09 |title=Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Canada [Country] |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}

File:31 Gerrard Street, Toronto.jpg, also known as Little Pakistan]]

There were 162,710 Pakistani-Canadians in the Greater Toronto Area per the 2021 Census, making it home to one of the largest Pakistani diaspora communities in North America.{{Cite web |title=ASIAN ALONE OR IN ANY COMBINATION BY SELECTED ETHNIC GROUP |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=ASIAN%20ALONE%20OR%20IN%20ANY%20COMBINATION%20BY%20SELECTED%20GROUPS&tid=ACSDT1Y2019.B02018&hidePreview=true |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=United States Census Bureau}} the entire states of New York and Texas have 77,352 and 74,712 residents of Pakistani origin respectively, and there are 122,950 just in the GTA alone (see additional source in footnote 8 and table above).{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2017-02-08 |title=Census Profile, 2016 Census - Toronto [Census metropolitan area], Ontario and Ontario [Province] |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CMACA&Code1=535&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&SearchText=Toronto&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=Ethnic%20origin&TABID=1&type=0 |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}} Per the 2021 Census, there were 41,705 Pakistani-Canadians residing within the actual city of Toronto;{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2022-02-09 |title=Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Toronto, City (C) [Census subdivision], Ontario;Mississauga, City (CY) [Census subdivision], Ontario;Milton [Population centre], Ontario |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}} the majority of the community is concentrated throughout the suburbs of the GTA.

There are 41,025 Pakistani-Canadians residing in Mississauga per the 2021 Census, comprising 5.76% of the city's population.{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2022-02-09 |title=Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Toronto, City (C) [Census subdivision], Ontario;Mississauga, City (CY) [Census subdivision], Ontario;Milton [Population centre], Ontario |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}} This is up from 27,345 recorded in the 2011 Census.{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2013-05-08 |title=2011 National Household Survey Profile - Census subdivision |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3521005&Data=Count&SearchText=Mississauga&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=Ethnic%20origin&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}} Urdu is the 2nd most common reported mother tongue after English, and there are 55,765 speakers in Mississauga.{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2022-02-09 |title=Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Mississauga, City (CY) [Census subdivision], Ontario |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}

Pakistani-Canadians made up 3.81% of the population of Milton in 2011,{{cite web |date=8 May 2013 |title=NHS Profile, Milton, T, Ontario, 2011 |url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3524009&Data=Count&SearchText=Milton&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=3524009&TABID=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427211909/http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3524009&Data=Count&SearchText=Milton&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=3524009&TABID=1 |archive-date=27 April 2016 |access-date=9 April 2017 |publisher=Statistics Canada}}. Source says 3185 out of 83575 are of Pakistani origin this works out to 3.81%. per the 2021 census this number has tripled to 12.88%, making it one of the fastest growing Pakistani communities in the nation.{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2022-02-09 |title=Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Toronto, City (C) [Census subdivision], Ontario;Mississauga, City (CY) [Census subdivision], Ontario;Milton [Population centre], Ontario |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}} Urdu is the 2nd most common reported mother tongue, with 19,830 speakers per the 2021 Census.{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2022-02-09 |title=Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Milton, Town (T) [Census subdivision], Ontario |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}

There are 10,825 Pakistani Canadians living in Metro Vancouver per the 2016 Census.{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2017-02-08 |title=Census Profile, 2016 Census - Vancouver [Census metropolitan area], British Columbia and British Columbia [Province] |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CMACA&Code1=933&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&SearchText=Vancouver&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=Ethnic%20origin&TABID=1&type=0 |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}} Most Pakistanis who live in Metro Vancouver reside in areas such as Surrey, which has 5,565 Pakistani Canadian residents per the 2016 Census.{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2017-02-08 |title=Census Profile, 2016 Census - Surrey, City [Census subdivision], British Columbia and Greater Vancouver, Regional district [Census division], British Columbia |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5915004&Geo2=CD&Code2=5915&SearchText=Surrey&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=Ethnic%20origin&TABID=1&type=0 |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}

Many Pakistanis have used an adaptation technique, and are accustomed to a bicultural lifestyle. At home they live as traditional a life as possible. The old values and hierarchical decision-making patterns are generally respected, and traditional clothing, food, decorations, and language provide the warmth and reassurance of the familiar.{{cite journal |vauthors=Saleem A, Steadman KJ, Fejzic, J |date=5 August 2020 |title=Utilisation of Healthcare Services and Medicines by Pakistani Migrants Residing in High Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis |journal=Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health |volume=21 |issue=5 |pages=1157–1180 |doi=10.1007/s10903-018-0840-4 |pmid=30499044 |s2cid=53979154}} Pakistani Canadians who are members of the community believe in the symbolic importance of owning homes.{{cite book |url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=dbUuX0mnvQMC |page=1032 }} |title=Encyclopedia of Canada's peoples |access-date=22 January 2011}} Those who came to Canada from Pakistan via East Africa or the Gulf are more likely to be involved in business. A number of Pakistani Canadians are also traders and are primarily involved in exporting and importing goods to and from Pakistan. A number of Pakistani-Canadian businessmen and companies have participated in this development.

An important aspect of Pakistani participation in the Canadian economy has been the increasing number of Pakistani-Canadian women who work outside the home.{{cite web |title=Community Life and Family and Kinship | Multicultural Canada |url=http://www.multiculturalcanada.ca/Encyclopedia/A-Z/p1/4 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205121525/http://www.multiculturalcanada.ca/Encyclopedia/A-Z/p1/4 |archive-date=5 February 2011 |access-date=22 January 2011 |publisher=Multiculturalcanada.ca}} The experience of Pakistani-Canadian women varies, from educated women with large social and economic freedom, to those separated in the community from traditional gender roles. Still, Pakistanis have shifted towards more freedom for Pakistani-Canadian women, including later marriages, more liberal attire, and greater social and economic freedom.

Young people who were born in Canada or brought as children share a particular set of issues and concerns with their parents and the wider Pakistani-Canadian community. Their perspective regarding adaptation and integration is generally not informed by significant direct experience of the culture and values of the homeland, and, as a result, parents and grandparents take on a mediating role. They have to decide what aspects of their traditional lifestyle and values must be left behind and what can be transferred to and re-established in their new home. Most significantly, they generally assume the responsibility for making these choices for their children as well. The family – even in its truncated form in the diaspora – is both the base for substantial cultural transfer and the source of intergenerational conflict.

The Toronto Pakistan Day Event is a small scale event held on Pakistan Day to celebrate Pakistani culture.{{Cite web |last=Canada |first=Employment and Social Development |date=14 August 2013 |title=Minister Kenney issues statement recognizing Pakistan Independence Day |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/news/archive/2013/08/minister-kenney-issues-statement-recognizing-pakistan-independence-day.html |website=www.canada.ca}} A number of Canadian television networks broadcast programming that features Pakistani-Canadian culture. These television shows often highlight Pakistani-Canadian events in Canada, and also show events from Pakistan involving Pakistanis who reside there, for example, The Voice of Pakistan – Vision TV (since 1971).

{{Main|Canada–Pakistan relations}}

Pakistan International Airlines serves Toronto's Lester B. Pearson International Airport three times a week non-stop to Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad and has been one of the most profitable routes in the entire network.{{cite web |url=http://www.piac.com.pk/ |title=Pakistan International Airlines – Home |publisher=Piac.com.pk |access-date=22 January 2011 |archive-date=23 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123211900/http://www.piac.com.pk/ |url-status=live }}

File:Pakistan, Ottawa.jpg in Ottawa]]

{{Main|High Commission of Pakistan in Ottawa}}

{{Main|List of Pakistani Canadians}}

Wajid Khan and Rahim Jaffer were members of the House of Commons of Canada. Wajid Khan represented the riding of Mississauga—Streetsville district of Ontario as a Conservative Member of Parliament{{cite web|url=http://www.wajidkhan.ca/|title=Wajid Khan – Mississauga-Streetsville|access-date=22 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306141017/http://www.wajidkhan.ca/|archive-date=6 March 2008|url-status=dead}} while Rahim Jaffer was a Conservative Member of Parliament for the Edmonton—Strathcona district of Alberta.{{cite web|url=http://www.rahimjaffer.com/|title=Rahim Jaffer – Edmonton-Strathcona|access-date=22 July 2008|archive-date=12 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612154437/http://www.rahimjaffer.com/|url-status=live}} Currently there are two Pakistani-Canadian women serving in the 42nd Canadian Parliament: Iqra Khalid representing Mississauga-Erin Mills{{Cite web|url=https://lop.parl.ca/sites/ParlInfo/default/en_CA/People/Profile?personId=18515|title=Profile – Khalid, Iqra|website=lop.parl.ca|access-date=31 January 2019|archive-date=7 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207223316/https://lop.parl.ca/sites/ParlInfo/default/en_CA/People/Profile?personId=18515|url-status=live}} and Salma Zahid representing Scarborough Centre.{{Cite web|url=https://lop.parl.ca/sites/ParlInfo/default/en_CA/People/Profile?personId=18535|title=Profile – Zahid, Salma|website=lop.parl.ca|access-date=31 January 2019|archive-date=7 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207224242/https://lop.parl.ca/sites/ParlInfo/default/en_CA/People/Profile?personId=18535|url-status=live}} Both women are Liberal Members of Parliament elected to seats in Ontario. Pakistani Canadians can also be found in the provincial legislatures as well as on municipal councils.

Salma Ataullahjan,[https://www.thestar.com/federalelection/candidates/candidateprofile/503846 "Salma Ataullahjan"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607174609/http://www.thestar.com/federalelection/candidates/candidateprofile/503846 |date=7 June 2011 }}, Toronto Star a Toronto artist and community activist,[https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/834161--pm-appoints-new-senator-before-crucial-budget-vote "PM appoints new senator before crucial budget vote"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021181922/http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/834161--pm-appoints-new-senator-before-crucial-budget-vote |date=21 October 2012 }}, Toronto Star, 9 July 2010 was named a Canadian Senator by Governor General Michaëlle Jean, on the advice of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, on 9 July 2010, and will sit with the Conservative caucus. With this appointment, Ataullahjan became the first Canadian senator of Pakistani Pushtun descent.

Shafiq Qaadri is a family doctor and politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, representing the riding of Etobicoke North for the Ontario Liberal Party.{{cite web |title=Etobicoke North: Summary of valid votes cast for each candidate |publisher=Elections Ontario |date=2 October 2003 |url=http://results.elections.on.ca/results/2003_results/valid_votes.jsp?e_code=38&rec=0&district=Etobicoke+North&flag=E&layout=G |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025084809/http://results.elections.on.ca/results/2003_results/valid_votes.jsp?e_code=38&rec=0&district=Etobicoke+North&flag=E&layout=G |archive-date=25 October 2014 }}{{cite news |title=McGuinty Government Working To Reduce Injury in Ontario |publisher=Canada NewsWire |location=Ottawa |date=23 August 2007 |page=1}}{{cite news |title=In Brief |newspaper=South Asian Focus |location=Brampton, Ontario |date=13 December 2011 |page=1}}

{{Portal|Canada|Pakistan}}

• Canada–Pakistan relations
• Canadians in Pakistan
• Asian Canadians
• Islam in Canada
• High Commission of Pakistan in Ottawa
• Pakistani diaspora
• Pakistanis
• Pakistani Americans
• Languages of Pakistan

{{notelist}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• Kurian, George. "Socio-cultural adaptation of South Asian immigrants: The Canadian experience." Journal of Sociological Studies (1987) 6#1 pp: 47–62.
• {{citation|jstor=41601006|title=Changing Family Patterns: A Comparative Analysis of Immigrant Indian and Pakistani Families of Saskatoon, Canada|journal=Journal of Comparative Family Studies|volume=8|issue=2|pages=179–200|last1=Siddique|first1=Muhammad|year=1977|doi=10.3138/jcfs.8.2.179}}
• {{citation|jstor=41603839|title=Perceptions of Arranged Marriages by Young Pakistani Muslim Women Living in a Western Society|journal=Journal of Comparative Family Studies|volume=33|issue=4|pages=495–514|last1=Zaidi|first1=Arshia U.|last2=Shuraydi|first2=Muhammad|year=2002|doi=10.3138/jcfs.33.4.495|url=http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape10/PQDD_0016/MQ52683.pdf}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20010203232700/http://www.asiapacific.ca/data/people/demographics_dataset1_bycity.cfm Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada – Population by Ethnic Origin]
• [http://www.ccsd.ca/factsheets/demographics/ Canadian Council on Social Development – Canada's Population from 2001–2004]

{{Asian Canadians}}

{{People of Canada}}

{{Overseas Pakistani}}

Category:Pakistani diaspora in Canada

Canada

Category:South Asian diaspora in Canada