THERE has been a protest by Bengali-Pakistanis in Karachi, at which the resignation of Interior Minister Rehman Malik has been demanded, for his contemptuous remarks against them, as well as the revision of the computerised national identity card. Mr Malik had recently called Bengalis foreigners, which the protesters objected to, saying that they were neither foreigners nor refugees, but loyal Pakistanis, and said that there were 1.5 million Bengali-speakers living in Sindh. Apart from the demonstration, there was also a press conference at Karachi Press Club by Sh Firoze, a leader of the Bengali Pakistanis. He called on Mr Malik to apologise to Bengalis for his remarks, or resign. The protesters also complained of the Ministrys attitude towards Bengali Pakistanis, and demanded an end to this. This incidentally increases the pressure on Mr Malik, who is also facing calls to resign because he had himself offered to do so if there was any Blackwater operatives present in Pakistan, something which US Defence Secretary Robert Gates is supposed to have confirmed on his recent visit. Mr Malik is a former official of the immigration service, and his statement seems to make it clear that he carries the baggage of those prejudices. Therefore, the protest must be seen as another attempt to make Mr Malik leave the Ministry over which he presides. At the same time, the plight of Bengali Pakistanis deserves consideration. If they have citizenship status, then any discrimination against them is against a citizen, and thus unjustified. The computerised ID cards have been proving a hassle for all, and the decision on that demand must not be linked to any ethnic group. Even if they lack the necessary papers, Bengali Pakistanis should not be discriminated against, and most important, must not be needlessly inveigled into the War on Terror. Mr Malik deserves to be told that not every problem that Karachi faces has a link to it, and his Ministry should be headed by someone who can distinguish between militants and peaceful citizens.