top of page

Pakistani Ethnicity

When we talk about Pakistani people, it means all the ethnic groups which live in Pakistan’s land. Pakistani are considered as South Asian people; therefore, the way they look nothing much different with another South Asian race like Afghani, Indian, Bengali and Sri Lankan. Nevertheless, the geographic location of Pakistan makes Pakistan has more race diversity and looks than other South Asian countries.

 

~ Kalash ~

 

Most of Kalash people reside in the Chitral district of Khyber Phaktunwa province. The genetic of Kalashi is related to Eurasian race, therefore, most of them have white skin, and Caucasian looks. They speak Kalasha language.

Click to enlarge the pictures in gallery

 

~ Siddi ~

 

Not much people know that Pakistan also has Afro-Pakistani. Most Siddi who immigrated to Pakistan reside in Karachi and the rest of Siddi group still reside in India. DNA test result of Afro-Asian, Siddi showed that they have South African ancestors and Siddi people speak Kannada language. The term "Makrani" in Pakistan tends to be used as synonym for Siddi, the Gujarat Makrani also have no connection with the Siddi, as they are ethnic Balochs with no historic connection with Africa.

Click to enlarge the pictures in gallery

 

~ Burusho ~

 

Burusho looks almost same like Kalash people due to their Caucasian - Siberian ancestry. Most Burusho live in northern Pakistan, it’s also known as the one of the healthiest societies because of their longevity. Burushaski language is spoken by Burusho people who live in Hunza-Nagar District, northern Gilgit District, and in the Yasin and Ishkoman valleys of northern Ghizer Distric.

Click to enlarge the pictures in gallery

 

~ Pasthun / Pathan ~

 

Some people believe that Pashtun is the lost Jew tribe before they converted to Islam. Most population of Pashtun reside in Pakistan and plenty of them also reside in Afghanistan. Some Pashtun have fair skin and light color eyes. The main language of Pashtun tribe is Pashto.

Click to enlarge the pictures in gallery

 

~ Hazara ~

 

Hazara is a minority ethnic group in Hazara town, Quetta, Pakistan and some of them also reside in Karachi. It’s believed that Hazara have Mongolian and Central Asia Turk ancestry. Not only in Pakistan, Hazara people also can be found in Afghanistan. They look like Mongolian and some of them look like mixed East Asian-Caucasian. Hazara speak Persian with Hazaragi dialect.

Click to enlarge the pictures in gallery

 

~ Balti ~

 

Balti is minority ethnic group in Pakistan that has Tibetan decent, and most of the population live in the mountainous region on the border of Pakistan and India. Somehow, Balti people have South Asian looks with a lit bit touch of Asian's slanted eyes. Balti people has Balti language, is a Tibetic language and it is quite different from Standard Tibetan.

Click to enlarge the pictures in gallery

 

~ Kashmiri ~

 

Kashmiri people have prominent nose and lighter skin than most South Asian, but some of them also have darker skin too. Kashmiri Pandit is a Kashmiri community of Hindhu—Brahmin. There was an exodus of Pandit in 1990, but there are some Pandit left in Pakistan and some Muslim Kashmiri were Pandit or still have Pandit ancestors.

Click to enlarge the pictures in gallery

 

~ Baloch ~

 

According to Baloch lore, their ancestors hail from Syiria which means they have Arab ancestors. They live mainly in Baluchistan, Pakistan, next to Iran. The principal language of the Baloch people is Balochi.

Click to enlarge the pictures in gallery

 

~ Sindhi ~

 

Sindhi don’t have many differences with other South Asian people, the complexion of Sindhi is mostly lighter than South Indian, but some Sindhi also have dark skin.

Click to enlarge the pictures in gallery

 

~ Punjabi ~

 

Punjabi is the majority ethnic group in Pakistan. The facial features they have quite same with other South Asian people, specially Indian. Their complexion are diverse too, from light skin to brown.

Click to enlarge the pictures in gallery

Note :

Pakistan still has so many ethnic groups that haven’t mentioned in here.

 

~ Pakistani Folk Music ~

Author : Hani Calista, original post : What is a typical Pakistani look?

bottom of page