Religious Discrimination in Pakistan: A Persistent Crisis

Pakistan, a country founded in 1947 as a homeland for Muslims in South Asia, has long struggled with religious discrimination against its minority communities. Despite constitutional guarantees of equality, religious minorities, including Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Ahmadiyya Muslims, and Shias, face systemic persecution, violence, and legal discrimination. This blog explores the roots of religious discrimination in Pakistan, its manifestations, and the urgent need for reform.

Historical Context: From Pluralism to Persecution

At its inception, Pakistan was envisioned as a democratic state where all citizens, regardless of religion, would enjoy equal rights. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, famously stated in his 1947 speech:

“You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed—that has nothing to do with the business of the State.”

However, this vision quickly eroded as Pakistan embraced a more rigid Islamic identity. The Objectives Resolution of 1949 declared Islam as the state religion, and subsequent constitutional amendments further marginalized non-Muslims. The most damaging was the introduction of blasphemy laws under military dictator Zia-ul-Haq in the 1980s, which became a tool for targeting minorities.

Forms of Religious Discrimination in Pakistan

1. Blasphemy Laws: A Weapon Against Minorities

Pakistan’s blasphemy laws (Sections 295-B and 295-C of the Penal Code) prescribe the death penalty for insulting Islam or the Prophet Muhammad. While no one has been officially executed under these laws, false accusations have led to mob violence, extrajudicial killings, and prolonged imprisonments.

• Notable Cases:
  • Hector Aleem, a Christian peace activist, was arrested in Islamabad in 2009 after having allegedly sent a member of the Sunni Tehreek a blasphemous text message.
  • Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, spent eight years on death row before being acquitted in 2018. Her case sparked international outrage.
  • Junaid Hafeez, a university lecturer, has been imprisoned since 2013 on blasphemy charges.
  • Mashal Khan, a Muslim student, was lynched by a mob in 2017 over false blasphemy allegations.

Minorities are disproportionately accused, often due to personal vendettas or land disputes.

2. Forced Conversions and Abductions

Hindu and Christian girls in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh and Punjab, are frequently abducted, forcibly converted to Islam, and married to Muslim men. Human rights groups report hundreds of such cases annually, with little legal recourse for victims.

• Case Study: In 2019, Huma Younus, a 14-year-old Christian girl, was abducted, forcibly converted, and married to her abductor. Courts often uphold such marriages under Islamic law, ignoring the victims’ age or consent.

3. Economic and Social Marginalization

Religious minorities face discrimination in employment, education, and political representation. Many are relegated to menial jobs, such as sanitation work, reinforcing caste-like hierarchies.

• Hindus in Sindh often live in fear of land grabs by powerful landlords.
• Christians are frequently accused of “desecrating the Quran” and face violent mob attacks.
• Ahmadiyya Muslims, declared non-Muslims by law in 1974, are banned from calling themselves Muslims or practicing their faith openly.

4. Sectarian Violence Against Shias and Sufis

Pakistan’s Sunni-majority society has seen violent attacks on Shia Muslims, who constitute about 20% of the population. Groups like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Sipah-e-Sahaba target Shias in bombings and assassinations.

• Quetta and Gilgit-Baltistan have seen frequent Shia killings.
• Sufi shrines, such as the 2017 Sehwan Sharif bombing (which killed 90), are attacked by extremists who deem them “un-Islamic.”

Government Complicity and Legal Discrimination

Despite international criticism, Pakistan’s government has failed to protect minorities:

• Anti-Ahmadi Laws: Ahmadis are barred from voting as Muslims and face imprisonment for using Islamic terminology.
• Hudood Ordinances: These Islamic laws disproportionately affect women and non-Muslims in cases of adultery and theft.
• Lack of Justice: Police often side with accusers in blasphemy cases, fearing backlash from extremists.

International Response and Human Rights Criticism

Pakistan ranks among the worst countries for religious freedom according to:

• US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)
• Human Rights Watch (HRW)
• Amnesty International

Despite pressure, Pakistan’s government denies systemic persecution, often citing token gestures (such as reserved minority seats in Parliament) while ignoring violence.

The Way Forward: What Needs to Change?

1. Repeal or Reform Blasphemy Laws: False accusations must be penalized, and the death penalty for blasphemy abolished.
2. Protect Minorities from Forced Conversions: Strict laws and enforcement are needed to prevent abductions.
3. End Sectarian Violence: Crack down on extremist groups targeting Shias, Ahmadis, and Sufis.
4. Education Reforms: Remove hate material from textbooks that promote religious intolerance.
5. International Pressure: Pakistan must be held accountable through sanctions and diplomatic measures.

Conclusion

Religious discrimination in Pakistan is not just a social issue but a state-sponsored crisis. The country’s drift toward extremism has endangered millions of innocent lives. If Pakistan is to truly honor Jinnah’s vision of a tolerant nation, it must dismantle discriminatory laws, protect its minorities, and uphold justice for all. Until then, the world must not turn a blind eye to the suffering of Pakistan’s persecuted communities.