Maliar Pashtun in Pakistan

The Maliar Pashtun have only been reported in Pakistan
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Other PDF Profile

Introduction / History

The Pashtun have been called the largest Muslim tribal society in the world. There are at least 30 major tribes, and countless sub-tribes and clans. Spread over a vast geographical area and riven by socio-economic, political, tribal and linguistic (dialectical) differences, Pashtuns nevertheless share a unique sense of common identity. Pashtun identity is based on four elements: Heritage (descent from a common ancestor); Islam (99.9% Muslim); the Pashtunwali Code of Honor ("The Way of the Pashtun"); and to some extent, Language (Pakhtu or Pashto). They live primarily in Afghanistan and Pakistan, though there is a significant Pashtun diaspora in the Arab Gulf and many Western countries.

There have been efforts to reach the Pashtun since 1818, when William Carey translated parts of the Old Testament into Pakhto, based on interaction with Pashtun traders who caravanned (and settled) across north India and beyond. (In South Asia, the name "Pashtun/Pakhtun" was anglicized to "Pathan" a name immortalized in Rudyard Kipling's novels and British colonial history; today, the Pashtun in India, Bangladesh, and throughout South Asia are known as "Pathan".) The first intentional mission to the Pashtun was launched by the Church Missionary Society in Peshawar, Pakistan (then Northwest India) in 1853. This was followed by over 150 years of faithful witness, through mission hospitals, schools, colleges, literature, friendship evangelism, and other forms of witness by national Pakistani (Punjabi) Christians and expatriate missionaries. Despite this record, and the slow but growing number of scattered Pashtun believers, a vibrant, indigenous, disciple-making movement has yet to take root and spread.

The majority of Pashtun live in Pakistan. Among them is the Maliar clan. They are concentrated mainly in the northern and western provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan. The Durand Line (the border established under British colonial rule) divides traditional Pashtun homelands in Afghanistan and present-day Pakistan. However, due to tribal, linguistic, social and economic ties, the border is porous, and volatile fertile ground for the drug trade, smuggling and cross-border militancy.


What Are Their Lives Like?

More significant than dialectical differences, a Pashtun's primary loyalty is to his particular social group (tribe or sub-tribe). This loyalty supersedes their loyalty to either Afghanistan or Pakistan. Pashtun clans in Pakistan like the Maliar must make a living in a country that is dominated by a Punjabi speaking elite. They try to protect their identity and interests through groups like the Pashtun Tahafuz (protection) Movement. In Pakistan one can find Pashtuns in all walks of life, but most are involved in agriculture.

Be they in Afghanistan or Pakistan, Pashtuns must deal with the Taliban, which rules Afghanistan with an iron fist. The Taliban has a high concentration of Pashtun members. However, different clans might be loyal to them or against them.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Maliar Pashtuns are almost entirely Sunni Muslim. Islam is central to their identity, but they have Pashtunwali, their own code of honor. Their code of honor means they must give shelter to those who are fleeing, offer hospitality and defense. They are expected to take revenge even if it takes generations. These are all points of honor which extend beyond their Sunni Muslim beliefs.


What Are Their Needs?

The Maliar Pashtun community has tremendous potential. If they allowed the Holy Spirit to direct their families and communities, they and those around them would be blessed beyond measure.


Prayer Points

Pray for the production and distribution of all forms of media in the Pashto language, including literature, videos, music, movies, radio, websites, and social media.
Pray for more workers to serve among the Pashtun people in education, business, healthcare, development and other professional areas.
Pray for God's Spirit to strengthen and protect new believers and to empower their lives and witness.
Pray for a massive, Holy Spirit directed movement to Christ among every Pashtun clan (including the Maliar) that will abundantly bless them in every way.


Scripture Prayers for the Pashtun Maliar in Pakistan.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashtunwali
https://factsanddetails.com/south-asia/Pakistan/Ethnic_Groups_and_Minorities/entry-8089.html


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  
Other PDF Profile

People Name General Pashtun Maliar
People Name in Country Pashtun Maliar
Natural Name Maliar Pashtun
Pronunciation MAHL-yar pahsh-TOON
Alternate Names मलीयर
Population this Country 234,000
Population all Countries 234,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 5
PeopleID3 19454
ROP3 Code 115595
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 5
Largest States
Punjab
99,000
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
83,000
Azad Kashmir
34,000
Islamabad
17,000
Gilgit-Baltistan
900
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 5
  Punjab 99,000
  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 83,000
  Azad Kashmir 34,000
  Islamabad 17,000
  Gilgit-Baltistan 900
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Pashto, Northern (75,000 speakers)
Language Code pbu   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 13
Secondary Languages
Pashto, Central
51,000
Punjabi, Western
23,000
Pahari-Potwari
23,000
Saraiki
22,000
Hindko, Northern
20,000
Urdu
6,800
Hindko, Southern
4,400
Shina, Kohistani
1,200
Kashmiri
1,200
Shina
600
Khowar
300
Kohistani, Indus
300
Primary Language Pashto, Northern (75,000 speakers)
Language Code pbu   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 13
Secondary Languages
  Pashto, Central 51,000
  Punjabi, Western 23,000
  Pahari-Potwari 23,000
  Saraiki 22,000
  Hindko, Northern 20,000
  Urdu 6,800
  Hindko, Southern 4,400
  Shina, Kohistani 1,200
  Kashmiri 1,200
  Shina 600
  Khowar 300
  Kohistani, Indus 300
People Groups Speaking Pashto, Northern

Primary Language:  Pashto, Northern

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1824-2010)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1818-1991)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1895-2020)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, New Testament DAVAR Partners International
Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Pashto, Northern Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General General Ministry Resources General / Other
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Mataluna - Pashto General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Pashto Bible General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Pashto Bible General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Pashto, Northern YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Zabur - Pashto General / Other
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Pashto Injil General / Other
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Pashto, Northern YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Naveed Akhtar 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


Joshua Project logo    Terms of Use   Privacy Policy   Contact Us   Copyright © 2024