Niazi
Niazi (Pashto: نیازی) is a major Pashtun tribe, a tribe of the Ghilzai Pashtuns 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 tribe.
The history of the Pashtuns is ancient, and much of it has yet to be fully researched. From the 2nd millennium BC to the present, Pashtun regions have seen invasions and migrations including Aryan tribes (Iranian peoples, Indo-Aryans), Medes, Persians, Mauryas, Scythians, Hephthalites, Greeks, Arabs, Turks, and Mongols. There are many conflicting theories about the origins of the Pashtun people, some modern and others archaic, both among historians and the Pashtuns themselves. Some anthropologists lend credence to the theory of Pashtun descent from Israelites, however, most modern authorities have found this oral tradition to be inconsistent. Ghilzais are reputed to be descended from the Mongolic people, as well as the numerous other invaders from Central Asia and the Middle East who have entered Afghanistan over the centuries. Their name being another form of Khitali the Turkish word for 'swords man' who early settled, perhaps as mercenaries rather than as a corporate tribe, in the Siah-band range of the Ghor mountains. They first rose into notice in the time of Mahmud of Ghazni when they accompanied in his invasions of India.
People
Niazi's have produced the most important figures all over Pakistan and Afghanistan Bureaucrats, Top ranked military officials, Entrepreneurs, Politians, Television personalities, Judges and many more. Niazis in Pakistan currently live mainly in Bhakkar, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Chakwal District, Swabi, Mardan, Hangu, Balochistan, Kohat, Mianwali. However, a large number of the Niazi tribe still lives in parts of Afghanistan, mainly in Qalaye Niazi, Gardez, Logar and Paktia province. A considerable number have also settled in Karachi and other major Pakistani cities such as Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar.
Tribe members living in Afghanistan speak Pashto, as do those inhabiting the districts of Hangu, Kohat, Swabi, Mardan, Lakki Marwat and Bannu in Pakhtunkhwa. Some families in mianwali speaks pashto as well. However, those Pashtuns living east of Kohat and those living in Punjab have not retained their ancestral language and mostly speak Saraiki dialect which is influenced by Pashto. Like other Pashtun tribes, Niazis strongly observe the honor code formally known as Pashtunwali.
Niazi-inhabited places in Pakistan and Afghanistan
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Niazi's have inhabited many placess in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Some of the places are mentioned beneath:
- MIANWALI, Punjab, Pakistan
- Ghazni, Long 68.42722, Lat 33.37528
- Qalaye Niazi
- Kabol, Long 69.21833, Lat 34.46889
- Logar, Long 69.10833, Lat 33.7575
- Parwan, Long 69.22917, Lat 34.99278
- Wardak, Long 68.68333, Lat 34.3
- Paktika, Long 68.87028, Lat 33.37889
- Kohat, Pukhtunkhwa
- Peshawar, Pukhtunkhwa
- Mardan, Sawabi, Pukhtunkhwa
- Hangu, Pukhtunkhwa
- Bannu, Pukhtunkhwa
- Katti Khel, Tank, Pukhtunkhwa
- Pishin bazar, Balochistan, Pakistan
- Basti Boher Multan , Punjab
- Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab
- Union Council Fazil & Ghulama, Kalurkot, Bhakkar, Punjab
- Jaranwala, District Faislabad, Punjab
- Katora, Khanewal, Punjab
- Chakwal , Punjab
Notable Niazi's
Niazi's have produced some of the most famous people of both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Prominent Niazis in Afghanistan
- Ghulam Mohammed Niazi,(founder of Jamiat-e-Islami Afghanistan)
- Mullah Manon Niazi, Governor of Mazar-e-Sharif.
- Nasima Niazi, Helmand Province Representative in the lower house of parliament.
Current members of the Provincial Assembly of Pakistan
- Ali Noor Niazi Currently (Member of Provincial Assembly)MPA Mianwali City
- Amir Abdullah Khan Rokhri/Niazi, Samand Khel(Former MNA, Former Senator)
- Maqbool Ahmed Khan Niazi, Zaman Khel (Former Federal Minister)
- Maulana Abdul Sattar Khan Niazi (Former Minister; Founder of Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan Niazi)
- Maulana Kausar Niazi, (Former Federal Minister)
- Obaid Ullah Khan Niazi, Shadi Khel (former member of the National Assembly, current Nazim of Mianwali)
- Aamir Hayat Khan Niazi/Rokhri, Samand Khel, (Former Member National Assembly, Currently Member Provincial Assembly)
- Gul Hameed Khan Rokhri/Niazi, Samand Khel (Former MPA Mianwali)
- Amanat Ullah Khan Niazi, of Shadikhel (MPA Mianwali)
- Abdur Razzaq Khan Niazi, Zaman Khel (MPA Khanewal)
- Muhammad Ikramullah Khan Niazi,Pai Khel(former Minister for Forest,Tourism,Culture and Fishries)MPA
- Najeeb ullah Khan Niazi, Sherman Khel (Bhakkar Pakistan Muslim League N.)MPA
- Abdul Rehman Khan Niazi alias Babli Niazi (ex Provincial Minister Prisons}MPA
- Saleem Ullah Khan Niazi Paikhel PUNJAB PAKSTAN MPA
- Sattar Khan Niazi AlamKhel PUNJAB PAKISTAN MPA
- Imran Khan Niazi Shermankhel Member of National Assembley
- Inam Ullah Khan Niazi Shermankhel PUNJAB PAKISTAN MPA and Member of National Assembley N-Leaugue
- Col. (R) Naseem Khan Niazi Wattakhel PUNJAB & Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab MPA
Notable military personnel
- Haibat Khan Niazi, Most Powerful General under Sher Shah Suri and was 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 Sher Shah Suri.
- Lt. General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, Sitara-i-Jurat twice and Military Cross, British Army, known as Tiger Niazi(Commander of East Pakistan Army 1971)
Sportspeople from Niazis (Mianwali)
- Imran Khan Niazi, Shermankhel (Mianwali) (Ex.Captain Pakistan Cricket team)
- Tariq Niazi, Mianwali(Olympic Gold Medalist,Pakistan Hockey team)
- Misbah ul Haq Khan Niazi, Punno Khel (Mianwali)(Batsman, Pakistan Cricket team)
- Sami ullah Khan Niazi (Bowler, Pakistan Cricket team)