Tamils in Pakistan


There is a small community of Tamils in Pakistan. Some Muslim Tamils migrated from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, and settled in Karachi after the independence in 1947. These Muslim Tamils have integrated with the Urdu speaking Muhajir community. Although there also some Tamils that have been since early 20th century when Karachi was developed during the British Raj. There are also Sri Lankan Tamils that arrived during the Sri Lankan Civil War and these Tamils are mostly Hindus. The Madrasi Para area behind the Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre is home to 100 Tamil Hindu families. The Marimata Temple was located in this neighborhood demolished by a builder. The temple was the biggest Tamil Hindu temple in Karachi. In addition, Drigh Road and Korangi also have a Tamil population. There are also a small number of Tamil Christians in Karachi. Till August 2019, Pakistan receives 30 post office mails from Tamil Nadu every month.
The Catholic community also has a number of Tamils within its ranks. Emmanuel Nicholas, the schoolteacher of former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani, was a Sri Lankan Tamil and Victor Gnanapragasam, Bishop in Quetta are among the distinguished Tamil Catholic community of Pakistan.

Notable people