Niazi

Major ethnic groups of Pakistan (1980); Pushtun in green.

North-West Frontier Province and region

The Pashtuns (also Pushtun, Pakhtun, ethnic Afghan, or Pathan) are an ethno-linguistic group of eastern Iranian stock, living primarily in eastern and southern Afghanistan, the North-West Frontier Province, Baluchistan Provinces and in couple of districts of Punjab i.e. Attock, Mianwali and Bhakkar in Pakistan. The Pathans are typically characterized both by their language, Muslim religion, and their pre-Islamic indigenous code of honor and culture, Pashtunwali. The Pathans are the world's largest segmentary lineage (patriarchal) tribal group in existence. The total population of the group is estimated to be about 40 million, but may be much higher as accurate census counts often prove difficult given the migratory nature of many Pathan tribes as well as the practice of secluding women.

History of Niazi (Naizai) Tribe

File:Moderniranianlanguagesmap.jpg

Geographic distribution of Pashto (purple) and other Iranian languages

The Niazais occupied the hills about Salghar which are now held by the Suleman Khels, until a feud with the Ghilzais compelled them to migrate elsewhere. Marching south by east, the expelled tribe found a temporary resting place in Tank (Pakistan). The Niazais lived there for several generations occupying themselves as traders and carriers, as do their kinsmen the Lohani Pawandahs in the present day. Niazi People mostly speak the Seraiki language and quiet a few speak Pasthu, too.

The most important sections of the expelled Niazais were the Isakhel, Mushwanis, and a portion of the Sarhangs. The first named took root in the south of their new country and shortly developed into agriculturists; the second settled farther to the north round about Kamar Mushani, and seem for a time to have led a pastoral life; while the majority of the Sarhangs, after drifting about for several generations, permanently established themselves cis-Indus, on the destruction of the Ghakar stronghold of Muazam Nagar by one of Ahmad Shah's lieutenants. That event occurred about 1748, and with it terminated the long connection of the Ghakars with Mianwali. They seem to have been dominant in the northern parts of the country even before the Emperor Akbar presented it in jagir to two of their chiefs. During the civil commotions of Jehangir's reign, the Niazais are said to have driven the Ghakars across the Salt Range, and though in the following reign the latter recovered their position, still their hold on the country was precarious, and came to an end about the middle of the last century.

The Niazais established themselves in Isakhel about 270 years ago, but their Sarhang branch did not finally obtain its present possessions in Mianwali until nearly 150 years later. The acquisition of their cis-Indus possessions was necessarily gradual, the country having a settled though weak government, and being inhabited by Awans and Jats.

Beliefs

People of Niazi Tribe strictly follows pashtunwali:-

• Hospitality and asylum to all guests seeking help.
• Justice: Ancient Israelite Moses' Law, Tooth for a Tooth.
• Defense of 'Zan, Zar and Zameen' (Women/Family, Treasury and Property).
• Personal Independence. Niazis' are fiercely independent and there is a lot of internal competition.

Niazis' in Afghanistan And Pakistan

• Niazi, Ghazni, Populated Place, Long 68.44722, Lat 33.41
• Niazi, Ghazni, Populated Place, Long 68.42722, Lat 33.37528
• Niazi, Ghazni, Populated Place, Long 68.37306, Lat 33.465
• Niazi, Kabol, Populated Place, Long 69.21833, Lat 34.46889
• Niazi, Lowgar, Populated Place, Long 69.10833, Lat 33.7575
• Niazi, Lowgar, Populated Place, Long 69.1475, Lat 34.27278
• Niazi, Parvan, Populated Place, Long 69.22917, Lat 34.99278
• Niazi, Vardak, Populated Place, Long 68.68333, Lat 34.3
• Niazi, Paktika, Populated Place, Long 68.87028, Lat 33.37889
• Niazi, Paktika, Populated Place, Long 68.75167, Lat 33.1588

• Niazai,Bannu, N.W.F.P
• Niazi, Mianwali, Punjab,
• Niazi, Union Council Fazil & Ghulama, Kalurkot, Bhakkar, Punjab
• Niazi, Jaranwala, District Faislabad, Punjab
• Niazi, Katora, Khanewal, Punjab
• Niazi, Kot Ghulla, Chakwal , Punjab
• Kundi, Dera Ismail Khan, N.W.F.P
• Katti Khel, Tank, N.W.F.P

Khels

The following Khels (clans) belong to the Niazi tribe:

• Katti Khel
• Kundi - The Kundi is a Pathan tribe of Tank District in North-West Frontier Province, and also some parts of Balochistan Pakistan. Kundis' claim that they are the descendant of niazi tribe. Abdul karim khan kundi is a former chief justice of N.W.F.P., Mohammad Ishaq Khan Kundi is one of the most famous members of the tribe in Tank. He was deputy speaker of West Pakistan Assembly (1962-1965).
• Bori Khel
• Daud Khel
• Issa Khel
• Khalas Khel
• Khankie Khel
• Kharota Khel%
• Musa Khel
• Pai Khel
• Punno Khel
• Sherman Khel
• Shadi Khel
• Shahbaz Khel
• Taja Khel
• Watta Khel

%Tribesman related to kharota khel mainly live in Gulbazwala, Tehsil Kalurkot, distt bhakkar, are famously known in poilitical circles of Mianwali and Bhakkar equally.

List of Niazi people

The Niazi Tribe has produced some of the most famous people of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Former members of the National Assembly of Pakistan

• Imran Khan Niazi, Shermankhel (ex-MNA and ex-captain of the Pakistani cricket team)
• Inam Ullah Khan Niazi Shermankhel
• Dr. Sher Afghan Khan Niazi, Watta khel (Federal Parliamentary Affairs Minister)
• Maqbool Khan Niazi, Isa khel (Federal Minister & VP Pakistan Muslim League)

Prominent Niazis in Afghanistan

• Ghulam Mohammed Niazi,(founder of Jamiat-e-Islami Afghanistan)
• Mullah Manon Niazi, Taliban Governor of Kabul and Governor of Mazar-e-Sharif.
• Nasima Niazi, Helmand Province Representative in the lower house of parliament

Former members of the Provincial Assembly of Pakistan

• Ikram Ullah Khan Niazi PaiKhel
• Amanat Ullah Khan Niazi, of Shadikhel(Mianwali)
• Abdur Razzaq Khan Niazi, Zaman Khel(Khanewal) originally from Isa Khel
• Inam Ullah Khan Niazi Shermankhel
• Saleem Ullah Khan Niazi Paikhel
• Najeeb Ullah Khan Niazi Shermankhel Bakkar
• Abdul Rehman Khan Niazi Isa Khel(Mianwali)

Notable military personnel

• Haibat Khan Niazi, Most Powerful General under King Sher Shah Suri and appointed Governor of Punjab; given title of Masnad-i-Ali and Azam Humayun
• Isa Khan Niazi (Afghan Amir) The Famous Niazi Chief and one of the Most Powerful Military Commander in times of King Babur And King Sher Shah Suri.
• Gen (r) Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, commander east pakistan, called Tiger Niazi.

Sports

• Imran Khan Niazi, Shermankhel (Ex.Captain Pakistan Cricket team)
• Tariq Niazi (Olympic Gold Medalist,Pakistan Hockey team)
• Misbah-ul-Haq Niazi (Batsman, Pakistan Cricket team)
• Samiullah Khan Niazi (Bowler, Pakistan Cricket team)
• Muhammad Abbas Khan Niazi(Asian silver medalist, three times National heavy weight boxing champion)