Perspectives on Human Genome Diversity within Pakistan using Y Chromosomal and Autosomal Microsatellite Markers

Abstract

Current genetic and fossil data has consistently pointed to a recent common origin of man in Africa, less than 200,000 years ago, with subsequent migrations and dispersals of modern humans throughout the rest of the world1. Although fossil evidence is lacking, it is postulated that humans arrived in Pakistan, that lies on the postulated coastal route out of Africa to Australia, probably 60,000 to 70,000 years ago. Evidence of neolithic settlements has been found at Mehrgarh, in southern Pakistan and extensive sites have been excavated indicating that the agrarian Harappan culture flourished in the fertile Indus Valley around 2400-2000 BC2. Since then the Indo-Pak sub-continent has seen repeated invasions and migrations. Invaders included the nomadic Indo-European tribes from central and west Asia (the Aryans), Alexander's army, Arabs, Afghans and Mongols. All have contributed to the ethnic variety of extant Pakistani populations3.