List of 100+ Castes in Pakistan
In South Asia, the caste system is a classification of individuals based on ancient Indian texts. Even after the spread of Islam, which discouraged the region's caste system, it persisted. In contemporary Pakistan, castes vary regionally, and the caste system is based on "zaat," which is similar to caste but more fluid and primarily based on social status as opposed to birth. However, neither is mutually exclusive.
The state does not institutionally recognize castes in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, so there is no official list of castes. Despite constitutional and sharia guarantees of equality, caste-based discrimination and inequality continue to exist. Lower castes are subject to discrimination in a number of areas, including access to education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and political representation. The majority of Pakistan's power structures are controlled by the upper castes, making it difficult for the lower castes to break the cycle of poverty and marginalization.
Here is a list of Pakistani castes, or zaat, that is not complete:
Ashraf - Literally means noble, and is often used to refer to those of noble birth or high social status.
Achakzai - A caste that is found in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. They are traditionally involved in animal husbandry and related industries.
Ahar - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Punjab. They are considered to be of high social status.
Arian - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Punjab. They are considered to be of high social status.
Ajlaf - Literally means low, and is often used to refer to those of low social status.
Alvi - A Muslim religious caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are involved in religious and spiritual practices.
Arain - A farming caste that is found in Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. They are often involved in agriculture and related industries.
Abbasi - A Muslim religious caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are involved in religious and spiritual practices.
Abro - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Afridi - A warrior caste that is found in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. They are considered to be of high social status.
Agha - A Shia Muslim religious caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are involved in religious and spiritual practices.
Awan - A landowning caste that is found in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. They are considered to be of high social status.
Badar - A Muslim religious caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are involved in religious and spiritual practices.
Bajwa - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Punjab. They are considered to be of high social status.
Bangash - A caste that is found in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They are traditionally involved in animal husbandry and related industries.
Barazani - A Muslim religious caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are involved in religious and spiritual practices.
Barohi - A caste that is found in Balochistan. They are traditionally involved in animal husbandry and related industries.
Bagri - A caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in animal husbandry and related activities.
Bhachar - A caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in animal husbandry and related industries.
Bhangu - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Punjab. They are considered to be of high social status.
Baloch - A tribal caste that is found in Balochistan and parts of Sindh. They are traditionally involved in animal husbandry, agriculture, and fishing.
Brohi - A feudal caste that is found in Balochistan. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Bukhari - A Muslim religious caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are involved in religious and spiritual practices.
Burki - A feudal caste that is found in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Bhutta - A farming caste that is found in Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. They are often involved in agriculture and related industries.
Butt - A landowning caste that is found in Punjab and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. They are considered to be of high social status.
Bugti - A tribal caste that is found in Balochistan. They are traditionally involved in animal husbandry and agriculture.
Buledi - A feudal caste that is found in Balochistan. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Chandio - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Chachar - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Changar - A nomadic caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are traditionally involved in scavenging and related industries.
Chaudhry - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Punjab. They are considered to be of high social status.
Channa - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Punjab and Sindh. They are considered to be of high social status.
Chhajro - A caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in agriculture and related industries.
Cheema - A landowning and warrior caste that is found in Punjab. They are considered to be of high social status.
Chuhra - a Dalit caste found primarily in Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan.
Dasti - A farming caste that is found in Punjab and Sindh. They are often involved in agriculture and related industries.
Dahri - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Dahar - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Dar - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Punjab. They are considered to be of high social status.
Daulatkhel - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Punjab. They are considered to be of high social status.
Daudpota - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Dero - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Dhillon - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Punjab. They are considered to be of high social status.
Dogar - A farming caste that is found in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. They are often involved in agriculture and related industries.
Gabol - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Gadi - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Punjab and Sindh. They are considered to be of high social status.
Gajani - A caste that is found in Balochistan. They are traditionally involved in agriculture and related industries.
Gandapur - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. They are considered to be of high social status.
Gara - A caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in agriculture and related industries.
Garchani - A caste that is found in Balochistan. They are traditionally involved in agriculture and related industries.
Gichki - A feudal caste that is found in Balochistan. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Ghanchi - A caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in oil pressing and related industries.
Ghallu - A caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in animal husbandry and related industries.
Ghakar - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Punjab. They are considered to be of high social status.
Gilani - A Muslim religious caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are involved in religious and spiritual practices.
Gopang - A caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in animal husbandry and related industries.
Gill - A farming caste that is found in Punjab and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. They are often involved in agriculture and related industries.
Gondal - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Punjab. They are considered to be of high social status.
Goraya - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Punjab. They are considered to be of high social status.
Gurmani - A feudal caste that is found in Punjab. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Gujjar - A pastoralist caste that is found in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. They are traditionally involved in animal husbandry.
Hingoro - A caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in fishing and related industries.
Jamali - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land.
Janjua - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Punjab. They are considered to be of high social status.
Jatt - A farming caste that is found in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. They are often involved in agriculture and related industries. Furthermore, there are many sub-castes that come under the Jatts.
Jatoi - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Jhagra - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. They are considered to be of high social status.
Junejo - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Jogi - A caste of wandering ascetics that is found in Punjab and Sindh. They are often involved in religious and spiritual practices.
Kaghzi - A caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in paper-making and related industries.
Kalhoro - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Kalmati - A caste that is found in Balochistan. They are traditionally involved in fishing and related industries.
Kalpar - A caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in fishing and related industries.
Kanju - A caste that is found in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They are traditionally involved in animal husbandry and related industries.
Kanhar - A nomadic caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are traditionally involved in scavenging and related industries.
Khaskheli - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Khowaja - A Muslim religious caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are involved in religious and spiritual practices.
Khushk - A caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in animal husbandry and related industries.
Korai - A caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in pottery and related industries.
Kanrani - A caste that is found in Balochistan. They are traditionally involved in animal husbandry and related industries.
Khakwani - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Punjab. They are considered to be of high social status.
Kharral - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Punjab. They are considered to be of high social status.
Khaskheli - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Kamboh - A farming caste that is found in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. They are often involved in agriculture and related industries.
Khokhar - A farming caste that is found in Punjab and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. They are often involved in agriculture and related industries.
Khosa - A feudal caste that is found in Punjab and Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Kumhar - A potter caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are involved in making pottery and related industries.
Lashari - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Langah - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Punjab. They are considered to be of high social status.
Leghari - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh and Balochistan. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Lohar - A caste that is involved in metalworking and related industries. They are found throughout Pakistan.
Malik - A landowning caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are considered to be of high social status.
Magsi - A feudal caste that is found in Balochistan. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Mahesar - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Malana - A Muslim religious caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are involved in religious and spiritual practices.
Mallah - A caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are traditionally involved in fishing and related industries.
Mengal - A feudal caste that is found in Balochistan. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Mangrio - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Marri - A tribal caste that is found in Balochistan. They are traditionally involved in animal husbandry and agriculture.
Memon - A merchant caste that is found in Sindh and parts of Punjab. They are traditionally involved in trading and commerce.
Mirani - A feudal caste that is found in Balochistan. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Mirza - A landowning and warrior caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are considered to be of high social status.
Mohana - A fishing caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in fishing and related industries.
Mochi - a Dalit caste found primarily in Punjab and Sindh.
Mehtar - a Dalit caste found primarily in Balochistan.
Mughal - A landowning and warrior caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are considered to be of high social status.
Narejo - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Niazi - A landowning and warrior caste that is found in Punjab. They are considered to be of high social status.
Naqvi - A Shia Muslim religious caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are involved in religious and spiritual practices.
Noon - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Punjab and Sindh. They are considered to be of high social status.
Panhwar - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Pirzada - A Muslim religious caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are involved in religious and spiritual practices.
Qaisrani - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Punjab and Balochistan. They are considered to be of high social status.
Qazi - A Muslim religious caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are involved in religious and spiritual practices.
Qureshi - A Muslim religious caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are involved in religious and spiritual practices.
Rind - A feudal caste that is found in Balochistan. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Rajput - A landowning and warrior caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are considered to be of high social status.
Rind - A tribal caste that is found in Balochistan. They are traditionally involved in animal husbandry and agriculture.
Sahi - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Punjab. They are considered to be of high social status.
Samma - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Sangi - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Shaikh - A Muslim religious caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are involved in religious and spiritual practices.
Soomro - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Suri - A caste that is found in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Afghanistan. They are traditionally involved in animal husbandry and related industries.
Sahu - A merchant caste that is found in Sindh and parts of Punjab. They are traditionally involved in trading and commerce.
Sayed - A Shia Muslim religious caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are involved in religious and spiritual practices.
Sheedi - A marginalized caste that is found in Sindh and parts of Balochistan. They are traditionally involved in fishing and related industries.
Sindhi - An ethnic and linguistic group that is found in Sindh province. They are involved in various professions and industries.
Solangi - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Sudhan - A warrior caste that is found in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. They are considered to be of high social status.
Suri - A caste that is found in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Afghanistan. They are traditionally involved in animal husbandry and related industries.
Syed - A Shia Muslim religious caste that is found throughout Pakistan. They are involved in religious and spiritual practices.
Talpur - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Tarar - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Punjab. They are considered to be of high social status.
Thakur - A landowning and feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are considered to be of high social status.
Tunio - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Turk - A Central Asian ethnic group that is found in Pakistan. They are involved in various professions and industries.
Umrani - A feudal caste that is found in Balochistan. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.
Yousafzai - A warrior caste that is found in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. They are considered to be of high social status.
Wagan - A caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in fishing and related industries.
Wassan - A feudal caste that is found in Sindh. They are traditionally involved in land ownership and related industries.