Group: | Baloch of Punjab |
Popplace: | Punjab Province, Pakistan |
Langs: | PunjabiSaraikiUrduEnglish |
Rels: | Islam |
Related: | BalochBaloch diasporaSindhi BalochBaloch of India |
The Balochs of Punjab (ur|{{nq|پنجاب کے بلوچ; Saraiki, pa|{{nq|پنجاب دے بلوچ) are a community of Saraiki and Punjabi-speaking tribes of either full or partial Baloch descent settled in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The majority of which live in southern Punjab, including Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, which adjoin the province of Balochistan. Numerous of which no longer speak Balochi and instead speak Punjabi, Saraiki and Sindhi.[1] [2] [3]
According to Dr. Akhtar Baloch, Professor at University of Karachi, the Baloch migrated from Balochistan during the Little Ice Age and settled in Sindh and Punjab. According to Professor Baloch, the climate of Balochistan was very cold during this epoch and the region was inhabitable during the winter so the Baloch people migrated in waves and settled in Sindh and Punjab. Baloch people form majority in Dera Ghazi Khan or Rajanpur districts and found significant numbers in Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan districts, and Multan district.[4]