Earliest Inhabitants
The Janjuas and Jatts, who now hold the Salt Range and its northern plateau respectively.
Later Invaders
The Gakhars, who appear to represent an early wave of conquest from the west, and who still inhabit a large tract in the east of the District; while the Awans, who now cluster in the western plain, are apparently later invaders.
Languages
Urdu is the language spoken and understood by all. However majority of the people, especially those living in the city speak Punjabi. People living in cantonment are not generally the citizens of the city but consist of army officials posted there that belong to different areas of the country. Hence Urdu is the main language spoken and understood by the people living in the cantonment. The educated elite living in district also understand and speak English.
Castes
Niazi Afghans, Seoul, Daduana, Kamboh,Matyana, Gujjar, Doltana, Sahu, Rajputs (Rana), Rajpoot Dhudhi, Awan, Sheikh, Jatt, Bucha, [Nikyana Sial], Siyal, Arayin, Bhati, Baloch, Khokhars Mayo Solgi (Jutt) and Toru are the castes to whom majority of the Khanewal people belong.