Niazi

This article is about the Pashtun tribe. For other uses, see Niazi (disambiguation).

The Niazi (Pashto: نیازی, Nīāzī; pronounced [ˈniːˈaːziː]) are one of the most important and largest Ghilzai Pashtun tribe of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The word Niazi is derived from Niazai, like the other forms of Pashtun tribes, such as Yusafzai and Orakzai. In the Pashtun tribal hierarchy, Niazi is one of the most respected tribes.

People

Niazis in Pakistan mainly live in Mianwali, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Chakwal District, Swabi, Mardan, Hangu, Quetta, Pishin, Loralai Kohat and Bhakar. However, a large number of the Niazi tribe still lives in parts of Afghanistan, mainly in Qalaye Niazi, Kandahar, Ghazni, Gardez, Logar and Paktia province. A considerable number have also settled in Karachi and other major Pakistani cities such as Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar.

Many Niazis are also found in Turkey, In the United Kingdom the members are well integrated and successful in politics and business.

Niazi tribe members living in Afghanistan speak Pashto, as do those inhabiting the districts of Hangu, Kohat, Swabi, Mardan, Lakki Marwat, Bannu and Mianwali. However, those Pashtuns living east of Kohat and some of those living in Punjab have not retained their ancestral language and speak Saraiki dialect which is influenced by Pashto. Niazis strongly follow the honour code known as Pashtunwali.

Notable people

Imran Khan Niazi

• Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, Pakistani Army Lt Gen
• Aamir Hayat Khan Niazi, Pakistani politician
• Abdul Sattar Khan Niazi, Pakistani politician
• Amil Niazi, Canadian writer, broadcaster and columnist
• Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, Pakistani general
• Gul Hameed Khan Niazi, Pakistani politician
• Humair Hayat Khan Niazi, Pakistani politician
• Imran Khan Niazi, Pakistani cricketer and politician
• Isa Khan Niazi, Afghan noble
• Misbah-ul-Haq Khan Niazi, Pakistani cricketer
• Munir Niazi, Urdu poet
• Tariq Niazi, Pakistani field hockey player

Niazi tribe locations

• Niazi, Mianwali, Punjab
• Niazi, Jaranwala, District Faislabad, Punjab
• Niazi, Katora, Khanewal, Punjab
• Niazi, Union Council Kot Gulla,Lawa. Tehsil Talagang District Chakwal , Punjab
• Katti Khel, Tank, Pakhtunkhwa
• Niazi,Tehsil Dunyapur ,District Lodhran , Punjab

Further reading

• Glossary of Tribes
• Advanced History of Medieval India
• A History of Pakistan and Its Origins