Pothwari is a Northwestern Indo-Aryan language spoken primarily in the Pothohar Plateau region, encompassing parts of Pakistan’s Punjab province, including areas in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. It is a member of the Lahnda group within the Indo-Aryan language family. While Pothwari shares linguistic features with Punjabi, it has distinct phonological and lexical characteristics that set it apart as a separate language.

Traditionally an oral language, Pothwari has a vibrant cultural and literary tradition, including folk songs, poetry, and oral narratives. However, it lacks a standardised writing system, and speakers often use the Urdu script for written communication. Despite the absence of official recognition, Pothwari plays a significant role in local identity and communication, reflecting the linguistic diversity within the broader Indo-Aryan linguistic landscape.