Baradari (brotherhood)

Barādarī or Birādrī (Urdu: برادری‎) means Brotherhood originating from the Persian word برادر Baradar meaning "Brother". In Pakistan and India it is used to denote a number of social strata among South Asian Muslims (see Caste system among Muslims). According to author Anatol Lieven, "the most important force in [Pakistani] society" are Baradari, usually far stronger than any competing religious, ethnic, or ideological cause. Parties and political alliances in Pakistan are based on Baradari, not ideology.

The political effects of baradari or bradree among Pakistanis in the United Kingdom were attacked during the Bradford West by-election, 2012 which resulted in the gain of a House of Commons seat for the Respect Party and its candidate George Galloway.