discrimination against the affected communities these processes are inaccessible.88 In this light, the Pakistani Bengali Action Community has highlighted the importance of issuing computerised CNICs to community members, abolishing ARCs for those entitled to citizenship, counting community members in the upcoming census and curbing harassment of community members by authorities.89 44. With the outbreak of COVID-19, initially only Afghans with PoR cards and other foreigners with CNICs were included in the COVID-19 vaccination programme.90 Later in August 2021, the Sindh Health Department announced in Karachi that all persons with or without CNICs would be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines.91 However, it has been reported that many undocumented persons continue to experience different challenges in accessing vaccines.92 45. Poor ventilation, lack of electricity, water and sanitation facilities as well as congestion in Asia’s biggest slum, the Orangi Town, where Bengali, Bihari and Rohingya populations live do not allow for social distancing. Lack of targeted awareness raising campaigns on COVID-19 amongst stateless communities and the requirement of identification to access free healthcare created barriers in access to vaccinations for stateless people.93 46. From 2022, mobile vaccination units to cater for those without documentation were deployed94 but most of the Bengali community members received just one dose of vaccination to avoid entering data on National Immunisation System of Record regarding vaccination which requires CNIC details. Another issue is that vaccination certificates were not issued limiting stateless people’s access to services. Although vaccination access is now easily available in Pakistan, fear and lack of information amongst statelessness communities inhibit many members from getting vaccinated.95 47. Already facing harassment and discrimination, stateless communities in Pakistan faced further targeting as the aggravation of theft crimes during Covid-19 was attributed to them although there is no data to support this.96 48. Regarding the enjoyment of certain civil and political rights by stateless groups during 88 Representative, Imkaan Welfare Organization, Interviewed on 29 March 2022 in Musawi and Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion, ‘The Impact of COVID-19 on Stateless Communities in Pakistan’, (July 2022), forthcoming. 89 Zia Ur Rehman, ‘Rally Demands CNICs to Be Issued To The Bengali Community,’ The News, (Online, 1 November 2021), <https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/904835-rally-demands-cnics-be-issued-to-bengalicommunity> accessed July 13, 2022. 90 European Union Agency for Asylum, ‘Pakistan, Situation of Afghan Refugees: Country of Origin Information Report’ (LU: Publications Office, May 2022), [Available at: https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2847/613763] accessed July 13, 2022. 91 Sumaira Jajja, ‘Citizens without CNICs Eligible for Covid-19 Vaccination in Karachi,’ DAWN, (Online, 2 August 2021), <https://www.dawn.com/news/1638388> accessed July 13, 2022. 92 European Union Agency for Asylum, ‘Pakistan, Situation of Afghan Refugees: Country of Origin Information Report’ (LU: Publications Office, May 2022), [Available at: https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2847/613763] accessed July 13, 2022. 93 Musawi and Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion, ‘The Impact of COVID-19 on Stateless Communities in Pakistan’, (July 2022), forthcoming, at 31. 94 ‘Door-to-door Covid-19 vaccination to kick-start in Sindh from Feb 1’, The News, (Online, 28 January 2022), <https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/928762-door-to-door-covid-19-vaccination-to-kick-start-in-sindh-from-feb1> accessed July 13, 2022. 95 Musawi and Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion, ‘The Impact of COVID-19 on Stateless Communities in Pakistan’, (July 2022), forthcoming, at 31-32. 96 Journalist reporting on statelessness issues in Pakistan, Interviewed on 16 March, 2022, Ibid, at 33. 14