Which ethnic communities live in Karachi?

Karachi is a diverse, multiethnic megacity. While it was historically composed primarily of Sindhis and Baloch, the city's demographic landscape shifted significantly following the 1947 partition of India.1

The primary ethnic communities in Karachi include:

• Muhajirs: The most numerous group, consisting of Urdu-speaking Muslims who migrated from India following the 1947 partition.12
• Punjabis and Pashtuns: Both groups maintain sizable communities within the city. The Pashtun population has grown notably due to rapid migration from the north.13
• Sindhis and Baloch: These groups represent the native populations of the region.1
• Makranis and Sheedis: Communities of Black African ancestry whose ancestors were brought to the region during the Indian slave trade.1

While the population is almost entirely Muslim, Karachi is also home to small minority communities, including Christians, Hindus, Parsis, Buddhists, and Jains. The Christian minority includes individuals of Indo-Pakistani origin as well as those descended from European groups.1