The Khagga are tribe of Arab origin and are said to belong to the Shaikh community. They are mostly found in south-west Punjab, Pakistan and speak Seraiki.
Khaggas claim to be Qureshi, and are descended from Jalal ud Din, a disciple of the famous Sufi, Mohammed Iraq. Khagga is said to mean a particular kind of fish; and the name was given to Jalal ud Din by his spiritual teacher on the occasion of his rescuing a boat overtaken by a storm.[1] According to traditions, during the period of Sikh rule, if anyone was distressed they could take refuge in the home of any Khagga.
They are found throughout South Punjab, with concentrations in Mailsi in Vehari District, as well as in Multan, Khanewal and Sahiwal districts. The Sahiwal Khaggas are said to have come from Multan in the 18th century after the invasion of Ranjit Singh.[2]
Important Khagga villages include Chak Shahana, Bherowal and Vehniwal Estate[jahanian] in Khanewal District, Noor Shah village in Sahiwal District. and Pakka Majeed near the town of Mian Channu. Other Khaga villages include Moza Allam Shah Khagga in Faisalabad District, and Chak Shah Khagga in Pakpatan District.