How Can I Find Pakistanis on Social Networks?Internet usage has grown considerably in recent years, and by far, Pakistanis numbering thirty-eight million people (as of July 2023) favor Facebook as their preferred online social network. Fully ninety percent of the country's surfers visit Facebook ninety percent of the time, dwarfing the next nearest competitor, Twitter, at just 5.5%. That's an impressive market share, given that the total number of Internet surfers in Pakistan currently registers at eighty-two million—nearly half the population.
So, the largest source of information about fellow Pakistani people might be Facebook, where users register to share their personal information, literally, with the world. There's some conjecture that this website was either developed by or taken over by one or more government agencies to have access to all the personal 'secrets' that someone might not otherwise have offered up, had they known about the ulterior motives.
Regardless, the info on Facebook is now etched in stone, and there's no erasing it. Yes, profiles can be deleted, but we don't know for sure that the data doesn't remain in the database out of public view.
Perhaps Facebook is so popular in Pakistan because so much information can be located so easily. Patrons have shared a lot about themselves, including (oops) political views, videos, beliefs, attitudes, favorites, associates ("friends"), business connections, movies, books, and art liked. On the other hand, those with ill intentions can be assured that their 'content' is in the hands of authorities who are keeping lists and checking them twice—so some of that government overreach just might result in greater public safety and lives saved.
On the site, click in the search box (upper left on the page) and type words related to the person, business, or activity sought. Results can be narrowed by adding qualifiers (filters) like location (city, province, territory). Specific search terms can be encapsulated in quotes to locate only those profiles containing the exact phrase within the quotes.
Search results of people often include pictures of places and photos of people to help identify targets of search. Borrowing from Facebook's format, these categories can contain content: Apps and Games, Books, Check-Ins, Events, Groups, Likes, Movies, Music, Notes, Questions, Reviews, Sports, TV Shows, and Videos.
Pakistan People FindersHamariweb.com appears in people search-finder results as 'Phone Directory of Pakistan' but refers to a link named p://www.phonebook.com.pk/, which, when followed, leads to yet another domain, lookup.pk, which provides an international search function populated with "What's on your mind, search and find!". There's a search filter by city, area, military, or neighborhood.
Find someone in Pakistan: Searching for the current president of Pakistan, Arif Alvi, returned no results, as it appears this site, which is linked back to the first website listed here, is for business searches only. Referring back to hamariweb dot com produces the same result—all business. Commonly, 'white pages' refers to the white pages of telephone books with residential listings, so the placing of these websites under search results for 'white pages' is incorrect.
White Pages of Pakistan Listing.com.pk might be a better people search choice. The site reads, "a website that provides you with phone numbers and addresses around the country. You can search by number, name, location, and more to get the exact match that you are looking for." At second take, this also seems to be a scam, as there is no search function, but there are opportunities to grab your email address and lead you to the pay-for-search website BeenVerified. The bogus 'no charge' website also phishes for your information by offering a 'completely free listing'.
Cultural Insights for Finding PakistanisUnderstanding Pakistani culture can significantly enhance your people search efforts. Pakistanis often use family names or tribal affiliations in daily life, which may not always appear in official records. For example, someone named "Ali Khan" might be commonly known as "Ali Bhatti" in their community, reflecting their tribal background. Including such cultural nuances in your search can yield better results.
Additionally, Pakistanis place a high value on family and community ties. If you're searching for someone, consider reaching out to local mosques, community centers, or even social media groups specific to Pakistani towns or cities. Platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram are widely used in Pakistan and can be valuable resources for locating individuals.
Language Tips for People Search in PakistanWhen searching for people in Pakistan, incorporating Urdu or regional language keywords can improve your results. For example, use terms like (people search in Pakistan) or (find someone) in your search queries. Many Pakistanis use Urdu or regional languages online, so searching in their native language can help you uncover more relevant information.
Here are some useful Urdu phrases for people search:
Where to Find Information About PakistanisInformation about Pakistanis can be found in various sources, both online and offline. Here are some ideas:
Pakistan's Multilingual LandscapePakistanis mostly speak Punjabi, followed by Urdu (the national language). However, in business, education, legal, and judicial arenas, English is common and taught in many areas as a second language. When searching for someone, consider using multiple languages to broaden your results. For example, searching for "Ali Khan" in English might yield different results than searching for in Urdu.
Regional languages like Sindhi, Pashto, and Balochi are also widely spoken. If you know the person's regional background, incorporating these languages into your search can be beneficial. For instance, searching for in Pashto might help you locate someone from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Using Pakistani Community NetworksPakistanis are known for their strong community networks, which can be a goldmine for locating individuals. If you're searching for someone, consider reaching out to local community leaders, such as imams at mosques or elders in villages. These individuals often have extensive knowledge of their community members and can provide valuable leads.
Additionally, Pakistani expatriate communities abroad often maintain close ties with their homeland. If you're searching for someone who may have moved abroad, consider contacting Pakistani cultural associations or embassies in the country where you believe they might be residing.