Pakistan T he definition of indigenous groups in Pakistan is vague. Under the definitions of indigenous peoples, certain distinct communities can be represented as indigenous in Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan considers indigenous people as tribal. The Kalash are the most well known indigenous group in Pakistan. They are a pagan group practicing an ancient Hindu religion. Though there have been theories of their Greek/Macedonian origin, scientific evidence belies this claim. Their existence in what is otherwise an increasingly conservative religious atmosphere as well as the threats they have received from the Taliban have given them some international fame. NGOs and other groups are interested in their plight. The government, to its credit, has increased its security presence to ensure their protection. The Kihals and Mors, the fishing communities of the Indus River, have been severely affected by large infrastructure projects. They are a nomadic population so National Identity Cards are a luxury. The community is considered “impure” because of their diet, which includes crocodiles. Condensed from Scoping Study on Indigenous People – Pakistan by the Society for Conservation and Protection of Environment (SCOPE). For more details of the study, contact: scope@scope.org.pk. 86 The Meghwar, Bheel and Kohli, the scheduled tribes of Sindh are indigenous to the region and heavily marginalized. They suffer similar abuse as the Kihals and Mors, considered to be “dirty” Asian NGO Coalition for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ANGOC)