1. Pashto: This is the official language of the province and is spoken by a majority of the population. It is an Indo-Iranian language and is closely related to Dari and Persian.
2. Urdu: As the national language of Pakistan, Urdu is widely understood and spoken in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in urban areas.
3. Hindko: This language is spoken by a significant population in the north and west of the province. It is closely related to Punjabi and is considered a distinct language by some.
4. Punjabi: Spoken by a smaller proportion of the population, primarily in the eastern parts of the province.
5. Other Languages: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also has pockets of speakers of other languages, including:
* Dari (a Persian dialect)
* Shina
* Khowar
* Kalasha
* Burushaski
Regional Variations:
It is important to note that there are regional variations in language use within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For example, Pashto is spoken with different dialects in different parts of the province.
Linguistic Diversity: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's linguistic diversity reflects its rich cultural heritage and its location at the crossroads of different civilizations.