The social organization in the district is mainly determined by the tribal system. The social structure is patriarchal, while tribal affiliation is prominent. The most important institution is family and kinship, which commands loyalty of its members. Each tribe is a united and organized entity under a Sardar who is the social and cultural leader of the tribe. The system of Jirga, the principle of the tribal responsibility and the acceptance of "Rawaj" as law is in place. Jirga membership as well as the post in levies and Sardari of the tribes passes from father to son. The Sardari system is however crumbling under the impact of recent reforms and commercialization and urbanization. Government’s participatory approach towards development and the role of the community in the process is minimising the role of the Sardar.

 Major tribes of the district are Luni, Tareen, Nasir, Shadozai, Marri, Dumer, Humzazai, Utmankhail, Sarghah, Zakhpal, Jogezai, Jalalzai, Vanechi and Pecchi etc. The language spoken mostly is Pashtoo.

 Most of the population of the district is working in agriculture, is poor, and is living a simple life. Wheat is the major staple food. Atta is the whole wheat flour made into Roti (bread) and this bread is consumed with most meals. The majority of the people have two meals, one in the morning and the other at sunset. Jawar is also used during winter by cultivators and labour classes. Bread is cooked in ovens or on griddles. Majority of people eat bread with onions, Lassi (butter milk) or even without it. In the morning they take bread with tea. The evening meal is however made of bread and cooked pulses or vegetable or meat. Well-to-do persons have three meals, and eat bread with meat, pulses, butter, milk and eggs. Tea is taken by almost all people several times a day. On festivals goat and sheep are generally slaughtered to celebrate the occasion. Milk taken is that of goats, sheep and cows.

 The common dress is Shalwar and Kameez. "Chapal" made of leather is used as footwear. Men wear long shirts, Shalwar and a turban made of coarse cloth. Shirts may be lightly embroidered at the cuffs and fronts. The rich and young people wear English style shirts. Waist coats and "Sadri" are also common. The women generally wear a shirt of special type which is so long that it reaches almost the ankles. This shirt has broad sleeves, the front usually is richly embroidered and sometimes studded with shells. Different tribes use different types of trousers, Shalwar is common among Jafars while Tareen and Shadozai use "Masi" or "Pichas". In the case of married women its colour is green or red and in the case of single women its colour is white or fawn. The ornaments generally used are silver bracelets, nose rings, necklaces and ear rings. Most of the women wear long hair which fall in curls on both sides. Young girls tie their hair in a single plait at the back.²⁹

 Ethnic or tribal identity remains the potent force for both groups and individuals. The Jirga system is replaced by courts, because the system created stagnation and curbed ambitions. The result was that the outlook on life of an average tribesman was merely acceptance of his fate. The hierarchical system of authority flows downward from the Sardar through the various layers of the family. However the Sardar’s role has been altered over the years from one of defender of tribal independence to one of mediator between tribe and the state³¹. This process is known as the ‘Sandemanization’ of the tribal system.

 The political organisation has been seen to be built upon two principles; hereditary authority and a personal bond of allegiance in which protection is exchanged for loyalty. The persistence of tribal politics and the continuing power and influence of local chiefs or Sardars have been seen to affect and alter the working of the established parliamentary system. Many of the elected representatives are Sardars and tribal chiefs. The Sardari system however is in a transition stage and is undergoing changes due to economic, social and political independence, commercialization and rapid urbanization.

 The role of women in decision making is negligible, as the majority of the decisions are made by men. In small family affairs the women have some say. Their community role is limited to a significant degree by the freedom they have for social interaction outside the immediate household. There are some occasions like birth, death, illness, marriage etc; which serve as one of the few socially sanctioned forms of mobility available to women. During such events, women fulfil important functions in the exchange of information and ideas and the re-inforcement of social ties and alliances.

 Tribalism is crumbling under the pressure of modernization, commercialization and urbanization. The role of Sardar is fading gradually with the role of the state being increased. Better means of communication also add to the crumbling of tribalism and to a diminishing role of Sardars. The intermarriages between different ethnic groups will promote socialization and co-operation.

 Government involvement in providing utility services has resulted in greater dependence on government and in the decline of the traditional active participation in ‘development’ activities. With growing economic independence and education opportunities, the people are moving away from joint family systems towards nucleus family. An increase in opportunities for women’s education will create more awareness and self determination.

 The custom of bride price, being a constraint for young people to get married, is gradually fading with the advance of education and erosion of customs and traditions. The custom also enables old rich men to marry a young girl by paying handsome amount as bride price to her parents, which is a social evil that can be avoided through abolishment of vulvar.³⁶

 The old traditions and custom of co-operation are disappearing with the greater role played by the government in the process of mechanization and modernisation. Karezes are being replaced by tube wells and earth dams by proper dams. The segregation and seclusion of women has barred them from taking an active role in society and expressing their potential. Women are poorly represented in every walk of life due to tradition and customs. Mere constitutional and legal rights are not sufficient to make her play an active role in every sphere of life. People need to be made aware of the importance of women’s role in development.

 Absolute poverty, ignorance and lack of social security are the main causes of child labour, and cannot be removed through mere legal coverage of the issue.

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