Pakistanis in Qatar
 | This article's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. (July 2015) |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 180,000 (Oct 2016)[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Doha · Mesaieed · Wakra · Al Khor | |
| Languages | |
| Sindhi · Arabic · Urdu . Balochi · Western Punjabi · Pashto · Persian · Saraiki · | |
| Religion | |
| Islam, Hinduism, Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Blochs · Afghans · Punjabis · Pashtuns · Persians · Arab Pakistanis · Sindhis · British Pakistanis |
Pakistanis in Qatar are citizens of Pakistan and holders of Pakistani passports.
History
[edit]The presence of Pakistanis in Qatar can be traced back to the 1940s when early community members arrived and settled. Early Pakistanis were initially professionals mainly in the services sector.
Demographics
[edit]Pakistani professionals serve in the fields of petroleum, construction, banking, finance, education, engineering, medicine, social work, and beyond.
Pakistani Youth in Qatar
[edit]A large number of Pakistani youth in Qatar play a role in business, sports, and government as well as private sectors. Mr. Mohammad Shahbaz Ali, an entrepreneur from Jhelum, (Pakistan) and youth wing president (Pml-n Qatar) a Leading Political Party of Pakistan.
Economy
[edit]Infrastructure and blue-collard work
[edit]A significant portion of the Pakistani diaspora in Qatar is employed in the labor and engineering sectors, contributing extensively to the country's infrastructure and industrial development. Pakistani workers have played a vital role in the construction of highways, stadiums, metro systems, and energy facilities, particularly during Qatar's preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Employed as electricians, machine operators, drivers, and construction laborers, they form a key segment of Qatar's workforce. In addition, skilled Pakistani engineers are involved in civil, structural, electrical, and petroleum engineering projects across the country. Many work with multinational firms and government contractors, particularly in areas like Doha and Ras Laffan, where they contribute to large-scale oil, gas, and infrastructure initiatives. These contributions reflect the strong demand for Pakistani technical expertise in Qatar’s rapidly developing economy.
Entrepreneurs and skilled workers
[edit]Notable individual entrepreneurs include Saifur Rehman, who founded Redco Group of Industries, operating in Qatar since 1981, and which is considered one of the country's largest industrial and contracting firms. As of 2023, the company employed approximately 20,000 workers, including engineers and skilled labor, across various construction and infrastructure projects.[2]
In the first three months of 2025, 172,144 Pakistani skilled workers (including doctors, engineers and different types of technicians) went abroad for employment, according to data from the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment; among destination countries, Qatar received 12,989 of these Pakistani workers during this period.[3]
Education
[edit]Pakistan Education Centre (PEC)
[edit]One of the early expatriate schools, it was formed in 1967 then affiliated with Lahore Board of Higher Secondary School Examinations. Led by Dr. Abdul Qawi, active & leading Pakistani community members first started this school in Maguvilina District of Doha. On a decision by the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1978, some schools run by Pakistani community members were taken over by the Pakistan Embassy. Since then. Pakistan Education Center (Pakistani School) is run by Pakistan ambassador with the help of a Board of Governors. The current school premises were given to the Pakistani community by the Government of Qatar. These are the first ever premises given to any expatriate community and were inaugurated in 1985 by the then president of Pakistan, General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq. Pakistani School name was renamed as PEC in 1985. The school is affiliated to the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE), Islamabad, Pakistan. All Pakistani schools formed in Doha, Qatar were established by experienced Pakistani nationals who have worked in Pakistan.
PEC, offers education from kindergarten right up to senior high school and Intermediate levels. It has a separate wing for the Cambridge Education System, started in September 2013. The dignitaries who have visited PEC include General Mohammad Zia Ul Haq, then President of Pakistan, in 1985; Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa AlThani, then Crown Prince of State of Qatar, in 1992; Pakistani Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif in 1992; and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani in February 2012.
Pak Shama School (PSS)
[edit]The school was founded in 1964 by Edward Sardar & his wife (both from Sialkot) under affiliation with Lahore Board of Higher Secondary Education.[4] It is the first expatriate school in Qatar and is presently affiliated to the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education in Islamabad, Pakistan. In addition to Higher Secondary Education system, the school has Cambridge Education System facilities for interested students.
Shahbaz Ali Khan completed his college education from this school. He was amongst the toppers and also participated in different sports and proved himself.
Bright Future International School (BFIS)
[edit]Formerly known as Bright Future Pakistani International School (BFIS), the school was inaugurated in 1996. It is affiliated with Federal Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education Islamabad, and also have facilities for Cambridge Education System. The school offers classes from nursery to college level.[5]
Sports
[edit]Qatar Cricket Association
[edit]In 1980, 12 cricket teams gathered and formed the Qatar Cricket Association. M. A. Shahid (Then working with Fardan Exchange) was chosen as its first & founder President and Saifuddin Khalid as General Secretary. In 1996, the Youth & Sports General Authority of Qatar via Resolution No.13/1996 announced His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jaber Al Thani - Prime Minister of Qatar as the chairman of the executive board and Fahad Hussain Al Fardan as vice chairman. In June 1999, the QCA was accepted as an affiliate member with ICC and an associate member with the Asian Cricket Council. Tamoor Sajjad of QCA made its record in ACC tournaments with the highest runs in Under-14 at Malaysia and then in Thailand for Under 17 ACC Tournaments.[6]
Mesaieed Hockey Club
[edit]The club was established in Oct 2011, composed of Pakistani players from various companies. Currently led by Mr Muhammad Saifullah Khan as captain.
- Waleed Hamzah - football player (Al-Arabi forward). He was awarded the Asian Young Footballer of the Year by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 1999. He played for Qatar at the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship, New Zealand and the 2004 AFC Asian Cup. He was signed to Al Wakrah on May 26, 2011.
References
[edit]- ^ "Population of Qatar by nationality - 2017 report". priyadsouza.com. Retrieved 2017-02-08.
- ^ "Maryam Nawaz's son Junaid Safdar confirms divorce". Geo News. 12 October 2023.
- ^ "Doctors, engineers, labourers among thousands of Pakistanis going abroad for jobs". Pakistan Today. 2025-04-15. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
- ^ Siddiqui, Ashraf (2009). Together for Excellence: A Hand Book on Pakistan & Qatar : 2009 AD. M. Ashraf Siddiqui.
- ^ "Bright Future International School - School System". bfis.qa. Archived from the original on 2015-11-07.
- ^ (page 318, Together For Excellence by Ashraf Siddiqui)
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