This report has focused on certain minority communities, such as the Christian, Hindu and Ahmadi communities, because they are the most visible and most targeted communities for discrimination and violence. However, we recognise all minority communities in Pakistan as sovereign citizens of the state who deserve equality, justice and dignity. My research indicates that minorities identify strongly with a Pakistani national identity, even as they are persecuted on the basis of their religious identity. Minorities who have a historical connection to this land and have been contributing members of society are now being targeted for their beliefs. Alongside, Pakistan needs to address and take measures to rectify the wide spread prejudice and intolerance within the government, the judiciary, law enforcement, the media, as well as society at large. Ultimately and fundamentally, transition from Pakistan’s currently institutionalised “two-tiered” citizenship, i.e., Muslim and non-Muslim, into one that ensures equality of all citizens and the plurality that was envisioned by Mohammad Ali Jinnah should be supported.

1. STATUS OF RELIGIOUS
MINORITIES IN
PAKISTAN

2. What is Religious Minority??
A minority religion is a religion held by a
minority of the population of a country,
state, or region. People who belong to a
minority religion may be subject to
discrimination and prejudice, especially
when the religious differences correlate
with ethnic differences.

3. Minorities in Pakistan
Pakistan is the second most
populous Muslim country with
an estimated population of
192 million. Minorities form
approximately 5.7 percent (11
million) of the total
population, these include
Hindu, Christian, Parsi,
Buddhist, Ahmadi etc. Though
they are spread all over the
country, the majority of non-
Muslims are concentrated in
few pockets. Over 80 percent
of the non-Muslims in Pakistan
are either Christians or Hindus.
 4,860,426 Christians.
 2,926,116 Hindus.
 854,244 Ahmadi’s.
Figure given by Ministry for Religious Affairs,
Government of Pakistan

4. Literature Reviews
Pakistan is a predominantly
Muslim country with over
90% of its population
following the Islamic faith.
However there are over 11
million people living in
Pakistan who are not Muslim
and who follow various
faiths. These include
Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and
Parsees.
(Dr. Iftikhar H. Malik)

5. Contd…
The rights of religious
minorities-while
partially codified in the
Constitution of 1973-are
not protected by the
state, while Islam, by
being promoted as a
dominating force, is
often made to encroach
upon their lives.
(A.H. Nayyar 2003)

6. Contd…
Over the last few years there has been a wave of not only
extremism but also rising discrimination and persecution of
religious minorities in Pakistan. Discrimination is mostly against
the Hindus and Christians. The causes for this religious
intolerance aren’t there because the government has failed to
provide minority rights in its constitution, but rather due to the
government’s inability to enforce these rights in practice.
(Mariam Faroqui)

7. Contd..
Several incidents of forced
conversion of non-Muslims
are reported, with most of
these converts being Hindu
girls from Sindh.
Incidents of violence have been
reported from parts of Sindh
where there had been no
previous incidents of religious
intolerance. A similar situation has
been seen in Balochistan where
Hindus living for centuries faced
target killings and increased
abductions for ransom, leaving
people from minority
communities with no other option
than to leave Pakistan. There have
also been widespread killings and
violence against the Hazara Shias
in Balochistan.
Hina Sheikh (Annual minority Report)

8. Article 2-A of the Constitution of 1973
“Wherein adequate provision shall be made for
the minorities to freely profess and practice
their religions and develop their cultures”
“The State shall safeguard the legitimate rights
and interests of minorities, including their due
representation in the Federal and Provincial
services"

9. The minority presence in Provincial Assemblies
PROVINCES TOTAL NO: OF
SEATS
MINORITY SEATS
RESERVED
Punjab 371 08
Sindh 168 09
Khyber Pakhhtoonkhwa 124 03
Balochistan 65 03
FATA 12 00
Islamabad 02 00

10. Quaid-e Azam; The Founder of Pakistan

11. Findings
In spite of granting them equal status on paper, religious minorities
remain frowned upon and discriminated against in Pakistani society.
Despite the fact that the Government of Pakistan has passed
legislation for the protection of minority rights there remains no place
that the persecuted religious minorities can turn to with their pleas.
Transition from Pakistan’s currently institutionalised “two-tiered”
citizenship, i.e., Muslim and non-Muslim, into one that ensures
equality of all citizens and the plurality that was envisioned by
Mohammad Ali Jinnah should be supported.

12. Conclusion
• Minorities identify strongly with a Pakistani national identity,
even as they are persecuted on the basis of their religious
identity. Minorities who have a historical connection to this
land and have been contributing members of society are now
being targeted for their beliefs.
• we recognise all minority communities in Pakistan as
sovereign citizens of the state who deserve equality, justice
and dignity.