Saraiki people


The Saraikis, are an ethnolinguistic group in central and southeastern Pakistan, primarily southern Punjab. Their language is Saraiki. The Saraiki people did not see themselves as a distinct ethnic group until the 1960s. An Islamic identity formed the basis of the majority community's group consciousness for centuries prior to the establishment of Pakistan.
The Saraiki people follow many religions, though most are predominantly followers of Islam. A small minority of Saraikis follow Hinduism, Christianity and Sikhism. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, many Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India where they are known as Multanis.