Pashtun Khattak in Pakistan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The Pashtun are probably the largest tribal people in the world. The Khattak are a sub-group of the Pashtun. Most Khattak live in northwestern Pakistan near the Afghan border. A smaller group has migrated to India. Pashtun are called Pathan in India. Pashtun are the second largest ethnic group in Pakistan. Arab-funded madrassas (religious schools) throughout Pakistan, became the seedbed for the rise of the Taliban movement. Driven by a combination of religious zeal and Pashtun nationalism, and fueled by Arab money, the "Taliban" (a term for "religious students") imposed a harsh, hyper-conservative (Wahhabi) version of Islam on Afghanistan. Instability, endemic corruption, and ongoing violence have led to widespread disillusionment—and the migration of tens of thousands of Pashtuns seeking jobs and opportunities outside of their homeland. The Khattak speak Northern Pashto, one of the two major Pashtun languages. Pashtun in India speak Urdu as their first language.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Pashtun's primary loyalty is to his particular social group (tribe or sub-tribe). The Khattak claim that they are descendants of 17th century legendary Pashtun warrior-poet Khushai Khan Khattak. All Pashtun share a common descent; the Islamic religion; the Pashtunwali Code of Honor; and to some extent, language (Pashto). The greatest evil for the Pashtun is to disgrace one's family, clan, or tribe. The Pashtun, especially the rural ones, live and die based on their code of honor. Many Khattak have moved to urban areas and taken up jobs in construction, factories, the oil industry, and retail. The traditional occupations of the Pashtun Khattak in Pakistan are agriculture and animal husbandry. One could almost say that a third profession of the Pashtun is warfare. They have been fighting outsiders and among themselves for centuries. Every Pashtun man considers himself a warrior. The life of a Pashtun Khattak woman depends upon where she lives. In the countryside, women follow the traditional role of being wives and caretakers for their children. In cities, women are more likely to obtain an education and work outside of the home. A man may have up to four wives in Islam if he can afford them. Most men marry only one wife. Young people marry within their clan. Children, especially boys, are seen as a blessing from Allah.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Pashtun Khattak are Sunni Muslims, the largest branch of Islam. Being a Muslim is viewed an essential part of the Khattak's identity. Khattak try to obey the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammad. Sunnis believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. Allah, the supreme God of the universe, determines who enters paradise. Sunnis pray five times a day facing Mecca. They fast the month of Ramadan. They attend mosque services on Friday. If a Muslim has the means, he or she will make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in his or her lifetime. Muslims are also prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, using deceit, slandering, and making idols. If a Khattak man or woman becomes a follower of Isa, Jesus Christ, he or she will face persecution from his or her family and the community. There are few if any followers of Jesus Christ among the Khattak.


What Are Their Needs?

The Khattak need to hear and understand the life-saving message of Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life. Rural Pashtun have an oral culture. Most rural women and many men are unable to read and write. Kakar would benefit from better access to modern medicine and education.


Prayer Points

Pray for the wide distribution of Northern Pashto radio programs. Pray that the Spirit will lead many Khattak to tune into and listen to these broadcasts. Pray for an openness to the gospel among Khattak leaders and elders. Ask the Lord to raise up a church planting movement among the Pashtun Khattak of Pakistan in this decade.


Scripture Prayers for the Pashtun Khattak in Pakistan.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Pashtun Khattak
People Name in Country Pashtun Khattak
Alternate Names
Population this Country 1,407,000
Population all Countries 1,442,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 28
People ID 22197
ROP3 Code 119215
ROP25 Code 306585
ROP25 Name Pashtun
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 4
Largest States
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
1,309,000
Punjab
64,000
Sindh
34,000
Islamabad
600
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 4
  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 1,309,000
  Punjab 64,000
  Sindh 34,000
  Islamabad 600
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 (784,000 speakers)
Language Code pbu   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 11
Secondary Languages
Pashto, Central
476,000
Saraiki
55,000
Hindko, Northern
49,000
Urdu
18,000
Punjabi, Western
7,000
Hindko, Southern
5,500
Khowar
4,400
Sindhi
1,400
Pahari-Potwari
100
Gawri
40
Primary Language Pashto, Northern (784,000 speakers)
Language Code pbu   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 11
Secondary Languages
  Pashto, Central 476,000
  Saraiki 55,000
  Hindko, Northern 49,000
  Urdu 18,000
  Punjabi, Western 7,000
  Hindko, Southern 5,500
  Khowar 4,400
  Sindhi 1,400
  Pahari-Potwari 100
  Gawri 40
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  (1895-2019)
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
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
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 Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Pashto, Northern YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Pashto, Northern YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Hashoo Foundation - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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