Akhun Khel is a collection of tribes living in Afghanistan and the Khyber Pukhtoon Khwa (KPK) province of Pakistan. The word "Akhun" is derived from "Akhund or Akhwand" which in persian means teacher "scholar".

Distribution

There are several tribes of Akhun Khels living in various parts of Khyber Pukhtoon Khwa province and Afghanistan. Each tribe often traces its lineage to a famous scholar. Some are distributed as follows:

• One tribe, claimes that they are descendents of Akhun Salak Baba. They live in Swat, Kabulgram, Tangir, Lundrian, Khunan, Agroar, and Konsh Valley. Akhun Salak Baba's grave is in Kabulgram which is located adjacent to Indus river in Swat valley. Akhun Salak is a title that was given by people to Syed Akbar Shah for his piety and saint hood.
• One tribe is reported by E.G. Wace (Settlement officer of Hazara under Brittish rule during 1868) to descend from Akhun Umar Baba.
• One tribe is said to be the progeny of Akhund Ilyas.
• The descendants of Akhund Darweza Baba are said to live in Puran, Hulandar, Kana Ghorband, and Dora Mera. Akhun Darweza is the title that was given to Abdul Rasheed for his piety and saint hood.
• The descendants of Syed Abdul Wahab (who was given a title of Akhund Panju Baba or Baba Sahib for his piety and saint hood) are reported to live in Kalu Khan Sawabi. This group is locally called the Akhun Khel Miangaan (Syed).
• One Akhund Khel tribe resides in Tank, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province.