The children of stranded Pakistanis yesterday demanded equal rights as Bangladeshi citizens.

"We are neither stranded nor Pakistanis. We are Bangladeshi as we were born and brought up in this country," said Md Sadaqat Khan, president of the Stranded Pakistani Youth Rehabilitation Movement, at a press conference at the National Press Club in the city.

He alleged that a vested quarter is politicising the issue by terming Urdu-speaking people as stranded Pakistanis.

Criticising the move by the Stranded Pakistanis General Repatriation Committee, Sadaqat Khan said, "The committee leaders was now seeking rehabilitation of Urdu-speaking people in Bangladesh when we are demanding Bangladeshi citizenship."