Scheduled castes in Pakistan explained
The Scheduled Castes in Pakistan consist of communities recognized as socio-economically disadvantaged and historically Marginalized. To ensure social inclusion and support, the Government of Pakistan officially designated 40 castes as Scheduled Castes through The Scheduled Castes (Declaration) Ordinance 1957 ordinance No. XVI of 1957.[1] [2] This recognition aims to facilitate targeted policies and programs to uplift these communities and improve their access to education, employment, and social welfare.[3] [4]
Population of scheduled caste in Pakistan
The Scheduled Caste population in Pakistan is predominantly concentrated in the Sindh province and is considered to represent a substantial segment of the country's Hindu community. Although precise population figures vary due to differences in census data and demographic estimates, it is generally suggested that Scheduled Castes make up about 90-95% of the Hindu population in Pakistan.[5]
Hindus are estimated to account for 1.85% of Pakistan's total population, translating to roughly 4 million people in a country with over 240 million residents.[6] Given that Scheduled Castes constitute a majority within this group, their population is estimated to be between 3.6 million to 3.8 million individuals. These figures remain approximations due to the absence of detailed recent demographic data specifically focused on Scheduled Caste communities.[7]
List of scheduled castes in Pakistan
- Ad Dharmi
- Bangali
- Barar
- Bawaria
- Bazigar
- Bhangi
- Bhanjra
- Bhil
- Chmar
- Chanal
- Charan
- Chuhra or Balmiki
- Dagi and Koli
- Dhanak
- Dhed
- Dumna
- Gagra
- Gandhila
- Hala-Khor
- Jatia
- Kalal
- Khatik
- Kolhi
- Kori
- Kuchria
- Mareja or Marecha
- Megh (war)
- Menghwar
- Nat
- Odh
- Pasi
- Perna
- Ramdasi
- Sansi
- Sapela
- Sarera
- Shikari
- Sirkiband
- Sochi
- Wagri
[8]
See also
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in India
Notes and References
- Book: Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Law and Justice . A collection of the central acts and ordinances for the year 1957 . 1957 . Government of Pakistan Ministry of Law and Justice .
- Web site: Religious Minorities in Pakistan By Dr Iftikhar H.Malik. 9 April 2020. 16 May 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200516225708/https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/469cbfc30.pdf. live.
- News: Hindu parents don't send girl children to schools in Pakistan: Report. Yudhvir Rana. 4 June 2013. 24 January 2021.
- Web site: Abbasi . Kashif . 2021-06-11 . Literacy rate stagnant at 60pc . 2023-08-25 . DAWN.COM . en.
- News: Scheduled castes have a separate box for them, but only if anybody knew. 19 September 2020. 25 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210125125937/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/197657-Scheduled-castes-have-a-separate-box-for-them-but-only-if-anybody-knew. live.
- News: Rehman . I.A. . 18 June 2015 . The miserable scheduled castes . Dawn.
- News: Patel . Shaista Abdul Aziz . It is time to talk about caste in Pakistan and Pakistani diaspora . 15 Dec 2020 . Al Jazeera English . 15 Dec 2020.
- Web site: Information on Caste Based Discrimination in South Asia, Long Behind Schedule, a Study on the Plight of Scheduled Caste Hindus in Pakistan . Zulfiqar . Shah . December 2007 . Indian Institute of Dalit Studies (IIDS) and International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN) . 12 June 2020 . 26 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210226222513/http://www.dalits.nl/pdf/LongBehindSchedule.pdf . live .
