Pakistan: Rising Muslim Migration to Punjab

Muslims from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Bengal are increasingly migrating to Punjab, taking on labor roles that local youth often avoid, The Print reported. The construction of a new mosque in Bakhatgarh village reflects this demographic shift, serving both local families and the growing migrant workforce.

In the past five years, 165 mosques have been established or restored across Punjab, signaling a resurgence of the Muslim population, which is returning to areas where they were once predominant before Partition. Many migrants are not only seeking seasonal work but are also bringing their families to settle permanently due to labor shortages in Punjab and challenging conditions in their home states.

While many locals support the newcomers, tensions are rising, with some villages passing resolutions against marrying outsiders. Political leaders have expressed concerns about demographic changes, suggesting restrictions on land purchases by non-Punjabis. Despite these challenges, many migrants feel welcomed, particularly by the Sikh community, as they establish roots in the region.