A forum of stranded Pakistani yesterday urged the government to give them citizenship of Bangladesh to help solve their problems.

Leaders of the forum titled 'Bangladeshi Bihari Rehabilitation Assembly (BBRA)' said the number of stranded Pakistani is very little as those who are now staying at different camps of the country are actually 'Bangladeshi Bihari.'

Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club, Neaz Ahmed Khan, chief patron of BBRA, said despite living in this country for the last 34 years the Biharis are facing many humanitarian problems due to lack of citizenship.

When asked about the term 'Bangladeshi Bihari', he said those who came here before 1971 and who were born here after 1971 are actually Bangladeshi Bihari.

He urged the government to consider the human rights issue of this destitute Biharis.

He also alleged that crores of taka is being misappropriated in the name of helping the Biharis by a vested quarter.

“This culture of pocketing money will be stopped if the government settles our problems,” he added.

In a written statement at the press conference, BBRA also placed some demands that include settling of the citizenship issue and providing shelters to the Biharis in their respective camps including free education for their children up to graduation.

The statement also alleged that many Biharis of the forum are being harassed since its forming on May 7 this year.

To accelerate the realisation of its demands, the forum also announced some programmes that include exchanging views with politicians, donors and professionals, submitting memorandums to different ministers including the prime minister and organising countrywide meeting and human chain.

It will also observe Martyred Intellectuals Day and celebrate Victory Day, the statement added.

BBRA President Kawsar Parvez, Vice-president M Iqbal, General Secretary Mohsin Reza Khan and Women Affairs Secretary Rabeya Parvin were present at the conference.