Sethi Town (Urdu: سیٹھی ٹاؤن) is a neighborhood in Haji Camp, Peshawar, Pakistan located in the east of historic Peshawar city near Haji Camp Bus Terminal of Peshawar .

Geographical location

Sethi Town is the first Union Council of Pakistan because it is represented in the legislative assembly as UC1, PK1, NA1. The township is located at the east of Peshawar city, exactly at its entrance. At its south-east, the three main routes GT Road, Ring Road, Peshawar and Motorways of Pakistan join.^[1] This renders the township as strategically important area.

Ethnic groups and cultural diversity

Ethnic groups in Sethi Town (Haji Camp) include Pakhtuns, Hindkowans & Afghan refugees, especially Hazaras and Tajiks. More than 99% of the population of Sethi Town is Muslim. This endows the township with a substantial cultural diversity. In a single street, it is common to find people speaking Urdu, Pashto, Hindko and Farsi. The famous tribe of Khalisa are the descendants of Abdul Qadir Khan and his sons Abdul Jalil Khan and Abdul Rashid Khan.

History

This township was mainly developed in early 90s after the settlement of Afghan refugees in this area. This also resulted in an increase of the rent in the region.^[2] However, most of the residents of this township are now Pakistanis.

Renowned personalities

Muhammad Shoaib, one of the top three winners of Pakistan idol (season 1) and the young singer lives in Sethi Town.^[3] Several other distinguished professional resides in the township e.g., at least four faculty members working at University of Agriculture, Peshawar.

Political views

As for cultural diversity, the area has a large diversity for the political support, mainly for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and ANP with limited support JUI-F. However, currently majority of the young and most of elders are strong supporters of the PTI. Several senior PTI leaders have visited the area.^[4]

Hand-made carpet industry

During 90s, most of the Afghan refugees settled in the area were craftspeople weaving handmade carpets. This became a major livelihood for these refugees in Sethi Town. However, in 2013, the law and order situation^[5] and the return of refugees to Afghanistan, had adversely affected the industry.

Main sites

- Hussain Chawk - Sir Buland Pura - Ghalib Street - Pakistan International Public School - Nasim Masjid (main mosque of the township) - Khan Colony