Barazai

Demographics

Barazai (occasionally referred to as Barazai Sharif) village is located in the Chach region in District Attock in the Punjab Province, Pakistan. Geographically its situated east of Hazro city and south of river of Indus which defines the border between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), previously known as the North West Frontier and Punjab. Barazai is the biggest village of the Union Council Malak Mala with a population of nearly 16,000. The founder of this village was Barza Khan who was from the pathan tribe(caste)]] and came from Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. He had seven sons of which three died, two as infants and one lost his life in his adolescent years, he wasn't married and had no offspring. The names of Barza Khan's sons were as follows: Qasim Khan, Maghdoz Khan, Mirza Khan, Shabaz Khan, and Kooden Khan. The four mohallahs (neighbourhoods) are named after the four sons who lived on to get married and have children. The Oathan caste still live in the village up to this day, however many of the caste have intermingled and married into other tribes.

A large percentage of the population of Barazai has Pashtun roots. They are mostly descendants of the Musazai, Sarkani and Alizai and Durrani tribes. The residents of this village speak Hindko and Pashto and they follow the Pashtunwali code of conduct. Other tribes originated from Peshawar. Many tribes came from other parts of the country to cater and seek employment amongst the pathans, who later settled and are now recognized as villagers. These tribes make up the rest of the population living in the village. Pashto is still spoken by the elders generally and particularly in Mohallah Shahba Khel.

People from Barazai have migrated to many countries around the world with the majority migrating to the United Kingdom and are predominately settled in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire and Birmingham, England. Others have migrated to the USA, Malaysia, and Hong Kong and the Middle East.

Most residents of this village work in agriculture.

Many people from Barazai work in the Merchant Navy of Pakistan.

Infrastructure

Barazai has both girls' and boys' primary and secondary public schools. With recent development, private sector have established private primary schools with the aim to improve the education standards in the village. With the private institutions offering a higher standard of academia this has attracted increased applications and students from neighbouring villages. There is one Sufi Buzorg Almahroof Baba Ji Sahib who belongs to Barazai. There are also some other Ziarats (shrines), Shaheed Baba, Mian Kamal Baba and Charghazi Baba. Initially Barazai had 4 mohallahs (neighbourhoods), Maghdohzai, Qasim Khel, Shabah Khel and Mullah Khel but as more people settled and the population grew hence the increase in the mohallahs like Musa Khel, Mashriqi Dhok, Maghrabi Dhok,Nawab Abad, School Banda and many more. Malik Barza Khan lived in the mohallah 'Mullah Khel' and the predominant belief of the people is that 'Barza Khan is buried in the shamali kabristan ( northern graveyard), which is the oldest grave yard in the village and is situated in mohallah 'Mullah Khel'. Barazai has approximately 25 masjids (mosques) and one post office.

Sufi Buzorg

Hazrat Safiullah Almaroof Baba Ji Sahib (RA) was a spiritual guide of Barazai Shareef. His spiritual guide were Hazrat Sani Sahib (RA) of Manki Shareef. His Mazaar is located in Masjid Baba Ji Sahib Barazai. There are many people who are on the right path because of his guidance. He died on the night of Jummah tul Widah. Every year on the 28th of Ramadan his urs is celebrated.