The main tribes of the district are Rajput, Ghakars, Awan, Dhund Abbasi, Dhanyal, Kethwal, Bhatti, Chauhan, Janjua, Maliar, Mangral, Jasgam, Mughals, Pashtuns, Jats, Qureshi, Rawal, Satti, Sheikh, Kashmiris, Gujars and Sayyid.
While Mohazzam Shah, alias Dhanni Pir (from whom the Dhanyal tribe descended), arrived around 1190 from Dhanni, Chakwal, Shah's parents had ruled Multan State for about 190 years and were descended from Alvis, who migrated from Iraq early in the 8th century.