Sāfī (Pushto; Pashto: ساپی Sāpai; plur. ساپي Sāpī) is a Pashto and Pashayi-speaking tribe from Pakistan and Afghanistan.[1] [2]
The exact population number of this clan is not known; however, it is estimated to be around 2.5 million both in Afghanistan and in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. Safis have played an important role in Afghan society, especially in the Afghan Government; they were known to be opposed to the Afghan monarchy. The Safis have also had an important role in Pakistan. Currently, Safis serve in key posts in different public sector institutions. On 10 September 2007, Safi elders in the Mohmand Agency played a key part in reaching an agreement with TTP fighters to stop attacks on the Pakistani military and security forces, and on institutions such as schools and hospitals in the Mohmand Agency.[3] The Safis, because of their association with the Mohmand, are also called Safi Mohmands but in fact are not Mohmand in origin.
According to a work published by Jeffrey H.P Evans-von Krbek at the Department of Anthropology at the University of Durham in 1977, the ancestry of the Safis reaches back to the inhabitants of the ancient kingdom of Gandhara, and they are related to the neighboring Nuristanis.[4]
Currently, the Safi tribe is well known for its resistance to the Taliban regime, and many fierce clashes have broken out between the two. Some Safi tribesmen also live in Zabul Province close to the Durand line led byled by Haji Khudai-Dad Khan Safi, Haji Qalam Khan Safi, Haji Esmatullah Khan Safi, Haji Mohammad Juma Khan Safi, Dr Abdul Wali Safi, Mohammad Wali Safi and Abdullah Safi in Sibi District, with two sub clans: the Meerzai; and the Kamalzai. Safi also live in Zobh District In Baluchistan; they are together under Safi Ithad and their office is located at Mizan Chock in Mizan Plaza quetta. In Sibi, Safi have the majority of water, 8 Pao of water in Nari River.[5]