Scheduled Caste of Pakistan

Scheduled Castes of 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 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

Constitution of Pakistan Scheduled Caste Ordinance 1957

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]

References

^ Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Law and Justice (1957). A collection of the central acts and ordinances for the year 1957 (PDF). Government of Pakistan Ministry of Law and Justice.
^ "Religious Minorities in Pakistan By Dr Iftikhar H.Malik" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 May 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
^ Yudhvir Rana (4 June 2013). "Hindu parents don't send girl children to schools in Pakistan: Report". Retrieved 24 January 2021.
^ Abbasi, Kashif (11 June 2021). "Literacy rate stagnant at 60pc". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
^ "Scheduled castes have a separate box for them, but only if anybody knew". Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
^ Rehman, I.A. (18 June 2015). "The miserable scheduled castes". Dawn.
^ Patel, Shaista Abdul Aziz (15 December 2020). "It is time to talk about caste in Pakistan and Pakistani diaspora". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
^ Shah, Zulfiqar (December 2007). "Information on Caste Based Discrimination in South Asia, Long Behind Schedule, a Study on the Plight of Scheduled Caste Hindus in Pakistan" (PDF). Indian Institute of Dalit Studies (IIDS) and International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN). Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2020.

[1] Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Law and Justice (1957). A collection of the central acts and ordinances for the year 1957 (PDF). Government of Pakistan Ministry of Law and Justice.

[2] "Religious Minorities in Pakistan By Dr Iftikhar H.Malik" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 May 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.

[3] Yudhvir Rana (4 June 2013). "Hindu parents don't send girl children to schools in Pakistan: Report". Retrieved 24 January 2021.

[4] Abbasi, Kashif (11 June 2021). "Literacy rate stagnant at 60pc". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 25 August 2023.

[5] "Scheduled castes have a separate box for them, but only if anybody knew". Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2020.

[6] Rehman, I.A. (18 June 2015). "The miserable scheduled castes". Dawn.

[7] Patel, Shaista Abdul Aziz (15 December 2020). "It is time to talk about caste in Pakistan and Pakistani diaspora". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 15 December 2020.

[8] Shah, Zulfiqar (December 2007). "Information on Caste Based Discrimination in South Asia, Long Behind Schedule, a Study on the Plight of Scheduled Caste Hindus in Pakistan" (PDF). Indian Institute of Dalit Studies (IIDS) and International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN). Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2020.

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