Hazarewal or Hazarawals (Hazarewal pronunciation: ; Standard pronunciation: ) refer to the multi-ethnic community inhabitants of the Hazara region in Northern Pakistan. This region is known for its multi-ethnic population, comprising various ethnic groups with diverse origins.

Hazarewal tribes

The majority of the inhabitants belong to Dardic tribes (Yashkuns, Mankiyalis, Shinkari, Rajkoti, Chilis, Gabara, Marooch, Swatis and Tanolis), alongside communities of Awans, Gujjars, Syeds, Mashwanis, Karlals, Dhund abbasi and Pashtun tribes (Durrani, Tareen, Yousafzai, Dilazak, Jadoon, Khattak) who migrated to the area.

Languages and culture

Hindko is the most spoken language of Hazara Division followed by Kohistani, Shina and various Dardic languages and Pashto. Hindko speaking Hazarewals reside in and form the majority of the Haripur District, Abbottabad District, and Mansehra District. The Hindko speaking population consists of the Syeds, Awans, Gujjars, Tanolis, Swatis, Abbasis, Karlals, and Jadoons. Pashto speaking Hazarewals include the Yusufzais of the Tor Ghar and Battagram District. The Kohistani people such as the Mankiyalis and Yashkuns inhabiting the northern most districts of Hazara speak in various Kohistani languages. Other minority languages include Pahari-Pothwari, spoken by sections of the Karlal and Abbasi tribes of the Galyat region of Abbottabad District (where the language is locally called Dhundi-Kairali) and Gojari spoken by Gujjars of the Kaghan Valley. The Hazarewal, are not to be confused with the ethnic Hazara people inhabiting parts of Balochistan province in Pakistan or areas of neighbouring Afghanistan. The Hazarewals have, over the last few years, found themselves increasingly in favour of separation and autonomy from the rest of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on administrative basis.

Notable Hazarewals