Muhajirs

Muhajirs are an ethnolinguistic group in Pakistan comprising Urdu-speaking Muslims who migrated from various regions of British India to Pakistan during the Partition of 1947, and their descendants. The term Muhajir itself means emigrant.

Most Muhajirs settled in urban centers of Sindh, especially Karachi and Hyderabad, with smaller communities in other provinces. They are commonly identified by the use of Urdu as a lingua franca and by a shared urban, cosmopolitan cultural heritage. While many Muhajirs trace their origins to present-day Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, and surrounding areas, their descendants participate in Pakistani society with diverse regional backgrounds.

In politics, Muhajirs have played a prominent role in urban Sindh. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), founded in 1984, emerged as a leading political force representing Muhajirs in Karachi and other cities, advocating for political representation and urban rights. The party has undergone internal splits and leadership changes in the 2010s, resulting in factions such as MQM-Pakistan (MQM-P) and other offshoots. Muhajir influence has shaped municipal governance, education, and media in urban Sindh, particularly in Karachi, while at times it has been associated with ethnic tensions and episodes of political unrest.

Culturally and socially, Muhajirs maintain a connection to their urban urban-Indian-origin heritage while integrating into Pakistani national life. Urdu-language media, literature, and music are prominent, reflecting both a diasporic memory and ongoing contributions to Pakistani society.