Khattar (clan)

Khattar (tribe)

Khattar (Punjabi: کھٹر; Pashto: خټګر) is a Muslim tribe primarily found in the northern Punjab province of Pakistan, especially in Rawalpindi and Attock districts, with smaller populations in Chakwal and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They are traditionally landowners in the "Khattar tract" near the Kala Chitta Range and Indus River.

History and Origins

The Khattars claim various ancestries in tribal traditions, including Arab descent from Abu al-Khattar (a governor in Al-Andalus during the Umayyad period) who allegedly migrated via Turkey, Iran, and Afghanistan after the fall of Muslim Spain. Some also link to Qutb Shah (ancestor of the Awan tribe) for Qureshi Arab lineage. Other accounts suggest Turkic influences through intermarriages or Rajput (Chauhan) origins with conversion to Islam during early Muslim invasions (e.g., Mahmud of Ghazni era). British colonial ethnographies (e.g., Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab) describe them as claiming kinship with Awans but often asserting Rajput roots, with mixed local Punjabi and Central Asian elements due to migrations and marriages.

Society and Culture

The tribe is regarded as aristocratic and places high emphasis on education, with women traditionally addressed as "Khattarani". They have been prominent in politics and military affairs.

Notable figures include Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan (Premier of Punjab, 1936–1942) from the influential Hayat family of Wah.

References

Rose, H.A. (1911). A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province.

Newpakhistorian blog (various entries on Attock tribes).

Joshua Project and historical surveys

 Notable people 
 Pakistan 
 Nawab Muhammad Hayat Khan, a Punjabi Muslim administrator during British rule.

 Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan, First Prime Minister of Punjab Province in British India.
 Major safdar Jang Khan neka, twice marshal law administrator north of Punjab fought two wars with being the key to occupying khem keran sector in 1965.
 Sir Liaqat Hayat Khan, at one time Prime Minister of Patiala state
 Shaukat Hayat Khan, a senior Muslim league politician
 Yawar Hayat Khan senior director/producer of Pakistan Television
 Qazi Khalid Mehmood of Jatial. (Ex-Vice Chairman District Council Attock, Ex-Tehsil Nazim Attock). 
 Qazi Ahmed Akbar Khan of Jatial. (MPA PP-01, District President PTI Attock, Chairman Standing Committee Punjab Assembly, Senior PTI party leader) 
 General (retd) Ahsan Azhar Hayat, former senior officer of the Pakistan Army and ex-ambassador to Jordan  Gen Ahsan Azhar Hayat appointed as ambassador, 2013 Retrieved 2019 Aug
Sardar Mahmood Khan, former Senator and Former district nazim Attock   Gen Ahsan Azhar Hayat appointed as ambassador, 2013 Retrieved 2019 Aug

 Major (retd) Tahir Sadiq. (MNA NA-55 and Ex district nazim Attock)
 Ghulam Sarwar Khan (Former federal petroleum minister,MNA NA-59 and senior leader PTI party)
 Major (retd) Umar hayat Khan served in Indo pak war and achived awards for his performance
 Dr. Azhar Daud Khan Medical Specialist in Norway
 Dr. Asfand Yar Khan from Basal, in Hazro District Attock.
 References 

Category:Ethnic groups in Pakistan
Category:Ethnic groups in India
Category:Tribes of Pakistan
Category:Punjabi people