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| ] is a very diverse society with various ethnic and religious minorities. Some minorities in Pakistan are facing discrimination according to Indian writer Ashish Sen.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sen|first=Ashish Kumar|title=Pakistan tops worst list for religious freedom|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/apr/30/pakistan-tops-worst-list-for-religious-freedom/|accessdate=9 May 2013|newspaper=The Washington Times|date=30 April 2013}}</ref><ref name=dawnusreport>{{cite news|title=US report speaks of ‘crisis for minorities’|url=http://dawn.com/2013/05/02/us-report-speaks-of-crisis-for-minorities/|accessdate=9 May 2013|newspaper=Dawn|date=2 May 2013|agency=AFP|quote=A US government-appointed panel urged Washington on Tuesday to step up pressure on Pakistan over religious freedom, alleging that risks to its minorities have reached a crisis level.}}</ref> Condition of minorities deteriorated sharply in 2012, while the government remained unwilling or unable to provide protection to the country's minorities.<ref name=dawnhrwreport>{{cite news|title=Security forces allowing extremists to attack minorities: HRW|url=http://dawn.com/2013/02/02/security-forces-allowing-extremists-to-attack-minorities-hrw/|accessdate=9 May 2013|newspaper=Dawn|date=2 Feb 2013|quote=“The Human Rights Watch has accused the government of having failed to act against abuses committed by security and intelligence agencies which are letting extremist groups to attack religious minorities....Pakistan’s human rights crisis worsened markedly in 2012 with religious minorities bearing the brunt of killings and repression,” said Ali Dayan Hasan, Pakistan Director of Human Rights Watch.}}</ref> | |||
| {{tone|date=June 2013}} | |||
| The '''Minorities in Pakistan''' constitute about 3.5% -4% of total Pakistani population according to the official estimates of Pakistan,<ref name=Census_Data/> albeit according to the claims of other non-governmental organizations and human rights organizations that number might be between 6 - 8%. Christians and Hindus together constitute more than 90% of Pakistan's religious minorities. The discrimination and tyranny against religious minorities like ], ], ], ], ], ] is believed to be ongoing and carried out in various ways ranging from Educational opportunities to Political and legal rights. The financial condition of most of the minorities are also miserable; most people belonging to minorities are segregated and appointed only in low-level works.{{sfn|Human Rights in Pakistan|2007|p=111}}<ref>{{cite news|last=Mehmood|first=Rabia|title=For minority women, insecurity is compounded by gender and religion|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/345330/for-minority-women-insecurity-is-compounded-by-gender-and-religion/|accessdate=12 May 2013|newspaper=The Express Tribune|date=5 March 2012|quote=The commission said that the study focused on the Christian and Hindu religions because over 90% of Pakistan’s minorities belong to these faiths.}}</ref> | |||
| The minorities are facing terrible conditions.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sen|first=Ashish Kumar|title=Pakistan tops worst list for religious freedom|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/apr/30/pakistan-tops-worst-list-for-religious-freedom/|accessdate=9 May 2013|newspaper=]|date=30 April 2013}}</ref><ref name=dawnusreport>{{cite news|title=US report speaks of ‘crisis for minorities’|url=http://dawn.com/2013/05/02/us-report-speaks-of-crisis-for-minorities/|accessdate=9 May 2013|newspaper=Dawn|date=2 May 2013|agency=AFP|quote=A US government-appointed panel urged Washington on Tuesday to step up pressure on Pakistan over religious freedom, alleging that risks to its minorities have reached a crisis level.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ahmed|first=Dawood|title=The two faces of religious persecution in Pakistan|url=http://dawn.com/2012/08/07/the-two-faces-of-religious-persecution-in-pakistan/|accessdate=12 May 2013|newspaper=Dawn|date=7 Aug 2012|quote=It’s a horrible time to be a Christian, Hindu, an Ahmadi or any other minority group in Pakistan.}}</ref> Condition of minorities deteriorated sharply in 2012, while the government remained unwilling or unable to provide protection to the country's minorities.<ref name=dawnhrwreport>{{cite news|title=Security forces allowing extremists to attack minorities: HRW|url=http://dawn.com/2013/02/02/security-forces-allowing-extremists-to-attack-minorities-hrw/|accessdate=9 May 2013|newspaper=Dawn|date=2 Feb 2013|quote=“The Human Rights Watch has accused the government of having failed to act against abuses committed by security and intelligence agencies which are letting extremist groups to attack religious minorities....Pakistan’s human rights crisis worsened markedly in 2012 with religious minorities bearing the brunt of killings and repression,” said ], Pakistan Director of Human Rights Watch.}}</ref> A pattern of growing scot-free lawlessness threatens to destroy the minority communities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://minoritysupportpakistan-org.arohalabs.net/action.html |title=Minority Support Pakistan |publisher=Minoritysupportpakistan-org.arohalabs.net |date= |accessdate=2013-05-13}}</ref> The blasphemy laws affect a whole range of non-Muslim communities as well as marginalised Islamic sects. Forced conversion of ],<ref name=dawnfc/><ref name=dawnfch/> killings of ],<ref name="independent1">{{cite news|last=Waraich |first=Omar |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/worshippers-slaughtered-in-deadly-final-warning-1986188.html |title=Worshippers slaughtered in deadly 'final warning' - Asia — World |publisher=The Independent |date=2010-05-29 |accessdate=2013-05-13}}</ref> massacre of people belonging to Shias and Hazaras are ongoing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://afpak.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/02/22/blood_in_the_streets_quettas_hazara_massacres |title=Blood in the streets: Quetta's Hazara massacres - by Niamatullah Ibrahimi | The AfPak Channel |publisher=Afpak.foreignpolicy.com |date= |accessdate=2013-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://observers.france24.com/content/20120702-pakistan-quetta-extremists-film-massacre-shiite-minority-group-hazara |title=Pakistani extremists film massacre of Shiite minority group | The Observers |publisher=Observers.france24.com |date=2004-05-24 |accessdate=2013-06-07}}</ref> | |||
| In 2011 Human Rights Watch described Pakistan as "disastrous" for religious minorities and claimed that they faced ‘unprecedented insecurity and persecution’. Intolerance and persecution of religious minorities are ubiquitous in Pakistan.<ref name=autogenerated4>{{cite web|url=http://dawn.com/2013/04/25/veeru-kohli-to-make-much-anticipated-political-debut/ |title=Veeru Kohli to make much anticipated political debut |publisher=Dawn.Com |date= |accessdate=2013-05-10}}</ref> The Human Rights Watch’s Pakistan Director ] asserted that “Pakistan’s human rights crisis worsened markedly in 2012 with religious minorities bearing the brunt of killings and repression,”<ref name=dawnhrwreport /> and he also stated that in Punjab, the Government there has spent most of its term in office in denial of the threats to minorities,<ref name=outlookafghan>{{cite web|author=Ali Bahrami |url=http://outlookafghanistan.net/editorialdetail.php?post_id=6807 |title=Attacks on Minorities in Pakistan: World Watches Silently | The Daily Outlook Afghanistan, print and online English Newspaper |publisher=Outlookafghanistan.net |date=2013-03-10 |accessdate=2013-05-13}}</ref> albeit Punjab province of Pakistan is reported to be a haven to a slew of terrorist organizations from Kashmir-centric militant groups, ] or the "ideological patrons of Taliban".<ref name=outlookafghan /> Reports have claimed that the government was either "unable or unwilling" to terminate the connection between Pakistani military intelligence agencies and extremist groups. Some of the ] militant groups have known links to the Pakistani military and its intelligence agencies. Affiliated paramilitaries like the `banned’ Lashkar-e-Jhangvi operates openly across Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dawn.com/2013/02/02/security-forces-allowing-extremists-to-attack-minorities-hrw/ |title=Security forces allowing extremists to attack minorities: HRW | Newspaper |publisher=Dawn.Com |date=2013-02-02 |accessdate=2013-05-13}}</ref> | |||
| In February 2013 ] Stephen Harper highlighted the persecution of minorities in Pakistan as well as China. He said, ″In Pakistan, Ahmadiyya Muslims, Shiites Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and Hindus are vulnerable to persecution and violence″.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newseastwest.com/shahbaz-bhatti-praised-for-his-sacrifice-for-pakistani-minorities-as-canada-unveils-office-of-religious-freedom/ |title=Hindus, Sikhs & Ahmadiyyas face persecution in Pakistan, says Canada PM as he unveils Office of Religious Freedom — Newseastwest — The latest news about Indian diaspora, Indo-Canadians, Indian Americans & Bollywood entertainment |publisher=Newseastwest |date= |accessdate=2013-05-13}}</ref> | |||
| ==Demography== | |||
| ===1998 Census=== | |||
| According to the most recent (1998) census conducted by the Government of Pakistan, Hindus make up 1.20% of the population and Christians (Protestant and Roman Catholic) 1.9%, or around 2.3 million people. Other estimates put the numbers higher. Historically, there was also a small contingent of ] most of whom left in the 1960s, their numbers are estimated to be between 1000-5000 predominantly in the city of Karachi.<ref>. statpak.gov</ref> | |||
| ===Religious Freedom Report 2002=== | |||
| The U.S. State Department's International Religious Freedom Report 2002 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2002/14026.htm |title=International Religious Freedom Report 2002: Pakistan |publisher=State.gov |date= |accessdate=2013-05-10}}</ref> estimates the ] population between 10-12%, among which around 900,000 are ]s which is a sect of Shi'i Muslims and who pay tribute to their living spiritual leader, the ]. It also lists Christians at 2.09 million; Ahmadis at 286,000, Hindus at 1.03 million; ], Buddhists, and ] at 20,000 each; and ] at 50,000-100,000. | |||
| ==Women== | |||
| Women from minority communities are facing various types of inhuman conditions in Pakistan. Most Hindu and Christian women in urban areas are working as scavengers or sanitation workers. Labor laws are not invoked for their protection and in Badin, Mirpukhas, Sanghar, Umer Kot and Tharparker districts, Hindu women are considered to be slaves to their "owners".<ref>{{cite web|title=Gender based disparities worst in Pakistan|url=http://www.humanrights.asia/resources/journals-magazines/eia/eiav4a1/2-gender-based-disparities-worst-in-pakistan|work=1 Feb 2010|publisher=Asian Human Rights Commission|accessdate=12 May 2013}}</ref> Women from minority religions also face legal discrimination in the sense that, according to Pakistani laws, a non Muslim woman's testimony has only 1/4<sup>th</sup> the weight of testimony from a Muslim male.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ahmed|first=Dawood|title=The two faces of religious persecution in Pakistan|url=http://dawn.com/2012/08/07/the-two-faces-of-religious-persecution-in-pakistan/|accessdate=12 May 2013|newspaper=Dawn|date=7 Aug 2012|quote=The study also finds that according to the law of evidence, the testimony of a non-Muslim man, like that of a Muslim woman, carries half the weight of that of a Muslim man. Therefore, a non-Muslim woman’s testimony only has one-fourth the weight of a Muslim man’s.}}</ref> | |||
| ==Afghan== | ==Afghan== | ||
| ] are arriving to ] in 2004.]] | |||
| {{main|Afghans in Pakistan}} | |||
| There was a huge influx of Afghan refugees into Pakistan in the 1980s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.un.org/apps/news/storyAr.asp?NewsID=1349&Cr=Iran&Cr1 |title=UN refugee agency concerned over anti-Afghan violence in Iran |publisher=Un.org |date= |accessdate=2013-05-13}}</ref> This is said to have contributed to the rise of conservative ] culture, terrorism, ], religious fundamentalism, drug trafficking, illegal cross-border smuggling, environmental issues, ], and other socio-economic law and order problems in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://global-studies.doshisha.ac.jp/english/i18n/images/theme1/Dotani_Full_paper.pdf |title=The Impact of Afghan crisis on Pakistani Society since 1979 till date |format=PDF |publisher=global-studies.doshisha.ac.jp |first=Abdul Nasir |last=Dotani |year=2012 |accessdate=2012-01-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opinion-maker.org/2011/07/drawdown-of-american-troops/# |title=Drawdown of American troops |work=Asif H. Raja |publisher=Opinion Maker |date=July 4, 2011|accessdate=2012-01-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2011/04/bnp-rejects-census-in-afghan-refugees%E2%80%99-presence/ |title=BNP rejects census in Afghan refugees’ presence |editor=Shahzada Zulfiqar |publisher=Pakistan Today |date=April 24, 2011|accessdate=2012-01-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/13/stories/2005051304491100.htm |title=Pakistan's Afghan problem |editor=Muralidhar Reddy |publisher=] |date=May 13, 2005 |accessdate=2012-01-21}}</ref> | |||
| Since early 2002, more than 5 million Afghans have been ] through the ] (UNHCR) from both Pakistan and ] back to their native country, Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2007/11/03/unhcr-hails-pakistan-important-partner|title=UNHCR hails Pakistan as an important partner|date=November 3, 2007|publisher=]|accessdate=27 January 2010}}</ref> According to a 2005 report ''Census of Afghans in Pakistan'' by the ] (]), the ethnic breakdown of Afghans in Pakistan was as follows: Pashtuns (81.5%), Tajiks (7.3%), Uzbeks (2.3%), Hazara (1.3%), Turkmen (2.0%), Balochi (1.7%) and others (3.9%).<ref name="fas">{{cite web|url=http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL33851.pdf |title=Afghan Refugees: Current Status and Future Prospects |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2013-05-13}}</ref> The Government of Pakistan receives ]133 million a year from UNHCR for hosting Afghans on its side of the border.<ref name="UNHCR country operations profile-Pakistan">{{cite web|author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |url=http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/page?page=49e487016 |title=UNHCR country operations profile — Pakistan |publisher=Unhcr.org |date= |accessdate=2013-05-13}}</ref> | |||
| From 2005 to late 2006, the Government of Pakistan began and completed a registration process of all Afghans living in the country. The total number of registered Afghans was reported at 2.15 million in February 2007. They were all issued computerized "proof of registration" (PoR) cards with special ] features, similar to the Pakistani ] (NIC) but has ''"Afghan Citizen"'' on the front.<ref name=nadra>{{cite news|url=http://www.nadra.gov.pk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=272:nadra-asks-afghans-to-renew-por-cards-before-deadline&catid=10:news-a-updates&Itemid=20 | |||
| |title=NADRA Asks Afghans to Renew PoR Cards before Deadline|date=February 25, 2011|publisher=] (NADRA)|accessdate=June 3, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |url=http://www.unhcr.org/465c16364.html |title=German foreign minister explores situation of Afghans in Pakistan |publisher=UNHCR |date=2007-05-29 |accessdate=2012-01-21}}</ref> Some portion of Pakistani populace hold Afghans responsible for the rampancy of anti-Pakistan militant groups inside Pakistani territory.<ref>{{cite web|author=Virtua Design |url=http://www.guernicamag.com/features/garcia_7_15_10/ |title=By Bread Alone by J. Malcolm Garcia — Guernica / A Magazine of Art & Politics |publisher=Guernicamag.com |date= |accessdate=2013-05-13}}</ref> | |||
| ==Ahmadi== | ==Ahmadi== | ||
| {{Further|Persecution_of_Ahmadis#Pakistan{{!}}Persecution of Ahmadis in Pakistan}} | |||
| {{see also|May 2010 attacks on Ahmadi mosques in Lahore}} | |||
| {{Rquote|right|They fought the police for some time, but on seeing they were being defeated they exploded themselves|Sajjad Bhutta, Lahore's top police official, comments regarding the perpetrators of ]<ref name="independent1"/>}} | |||
| {{Rquote|right|This is a final warning to the . Leave Pakistan or prepare for death at the hands of Muhammad's devotees.|]'s warning to the remnants of Ahmadis in Pakistan<ref name="independent1"/>}} | |||
| There have been numerous attacks on Ahmadi community in Pakistan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/998648.stm |title=SOUTH ASIA | Gunmen kill five at prayer meeting |publisher=BBC News |date=2000-10-30 |accessdate=2013-05-10}}</ref> From ]<ref>. Library of Congress Country Studies.</ref><ref name="guardian1">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/jun/07/ahmadi-massacre-silence-pakistan |title=Ahmadi massacre silence is dispiriting | Declan Walsh | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk |publisher=Guardian |date=2008-07-16 |accessdate=2013-05-13}}</ref><ref>. The Sydney Morning Herald. Previous issue Saturday 7 March 1953.</ref> to stoning of two members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the town of ], in the North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan in April 1995.<ref>Amnesty International Annual Report (1995). 8 April 1995, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. p. 82</ref> to ].<ref>{{dead link|date=May 2013}}</ref> | |||
| Even ] of ahmadis has been proposed.<ref name="guardian1"/><ref>""</ref> ] is the biggest communal riot against Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Pakistan. The Islamist parties and specially anti-Ahamdiyya sided together to persecute of Ahmadis. Mass massacres of Ahmadis took place, while Ahmadis were boycotted. Ahmadiyya Mosques were destroyed along with other types of damage. This continued roughly to next few years.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of persecution 1971 to 1980|url=http://www.thepersecution.org/facts/h71-80.html|publisher=THE PERSECUTION|accessdate=10 May 2013}}</ref> Later in the administration of ] Pakistani government institutionalised the anti-Ahmadiyya sentiment by amending the Section 295-C through 'Criminal Law Act of 1986'.<ref>, 1974. An Act to amend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Gazette of Pakistan, Extraordinary, Part I, 21 September 1974</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reviewofreligions.org/1968/events-of-1974-%E2%80%93-anti-ahmadi-hostilities/ |title=Events of 1974 – Anti-Ahmadi Hostilities |publisher=The Review of Religions |date= |accessdate=2013-05-10}}</ref> In addition to that, an even more stringent law was passed namely ] by ] which effectively prohibited Ahmadis from Identifying themselves as Muslims.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thepersecution.org/archive/ordxx.html |title=Text of Martial Law Ordinance XX of 1984 |publisher=Thepersecution.org |date=2002-04-25 |accessdate=2013-05-10}}</ref> These anti-Ahmadi laws which were introduced in 1984 prevent the Ahmadis from calling themselves or even behaving as Muslims. They are not allowed to preach their faith and use Islamic terms for their places of worship and religious rituals.<ref name=BBCCh /> While Ahmadis have largely ignored to exercise their voting rights due to a requirement that they declare themselves to be non-Muslims, the separate electoral rolls which give their names and addresses has increased their vulnerability.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gannon|first=Kathy|title=Pakistan's Minorities Have No Faith in Democracy|url=http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/pakistans-minorities-faith-democracy-19122636?page=3|accessdate=13 May 2013|newspaper=abc news|date=7 May 2013|agency=AP|page=3|quote=Ahmedis rarely vote in elections because to do so they have to declare they are non-Muslims, says Shahid Ataullah, a spokesman for the Ahmedi community in Lahore.}}</ref> Even a well respected leader like ] could not overcome his antipathy towards Ahmadis and declared a disinterest in Ahmadi votes.<ref name=tyrannicalmajority/><ref>{{cite news|last=Siddiqa|first=Ayesha|title=Minorities in a Naya Pakistan|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/minorities-in-a-naya-pakistan/article4703142.ece|accessdate=13 May 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=11 MAY 2013|quote=... Imran Khan ... issued a formal press statement contradicting the video footage about the party’s plan to revisit the law declaring Ahmedis non-Muslims. The ... ensuing controversy forced Imran Khan to make the statement that he believed in the finality of Prophet Muhammad. But shockingly, he went on to add that no one from his party had sought Ahmedi votes. More than anything else, that declaration raises worrying questions about a national party’s agenda. Notwithstanding differences on interpretation of faith, the right of Ahmedis to life and inclusion in politics has to be ensured. It is also interesting that Imran Khan used the term ‘Qadiyani,’ which the Ahmedis in Pakistan consider derogatory.}}</ref> | |||
| With 1 million Ahmadis<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/DE/Aussenpolitik/Laender/Laenderinfos/01-Nodes_Uebersichtsseiten/Pakistan_node.html | work=Foreign Office (Germany) | title=The Federal Foreign Office Germany — Pakistan Info (German Language) | date=March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://translate.google.de/translate?sl=de&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.auswaertiges-amt.de%2FDE%2FAussenpolitik%2FLaender%2FLaenderinfos%2F01-Nodes_Uebersichtsseiten%2FPakistan_node.html | work=Foreign Office (Germany) | title=The Federal Foreign Office Germany — Pakistan Info (English Translation) | date=March 2012}}</ref> in Pakistan, persecution of ] has been particularly severe and systematic in ], which is the only state to have officially declared the Ahmadis to be non-Muslims.<ref name=hoque>{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/law/2004/03/03/index.htm|title=On right to freedom of religion and the plight of Ahmadiyas|author=Hoque, Ridwanul|publisher=The Daily Star|date=21 March 2004}}</ref> While Ahmadis consider themselves to be Muslims,<ref name=tyrannicalmajority>{{cite news|title=Pakistan’s Tyrannical Majority|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/11/opinion/pakistans-tyrannical-majority.html?_r=0|accessdate=13 May 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=10 May 2013|quote=Ahmadis, followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908), consider themselves part of the Muslim tradition but have faced stern resistance from Sunni Muslims, who accused them of following a false prophet.}}</ref> they are prohibited by law from self-identifying as Muslims, and their freedom of religion has been curtailed by a series of ordinances, acts and constitutional amendments.<ref>Khan, Naveeda. . Sarai Reader 2005: Bare Acts. p. 184.</ref> In applying for a passport, Pakistanis are required to declare that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad is an impostor prophet and that his followers are non-Muslims.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hanif |first=Mohammed |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8744092.stm |title=Why Pakistan's Ahmadi community is officially detested |publisher=BBC News |date=2010-06-16 |accessdate=2013-05-10}}</ref> | |||
| As a result, persecution and hate-related incidents are constantly reported from different parts of the country, and Ahmadis have been the target of many attacks led by various religious groups.<ref>{{dead link|date=May 2013}} ''Harvard Human Rights Journal'', Vol 16, September 2003.<br>, BBC News<br>, BBC News</ref> '']s'' of all sects of Islam in Pakistan prescribe reading materials for their students specifically targeted at refuting Ahmadiyya beliefs.<ref>Rahman, Tariq. Contemporary South Asia, 2004. p. 15.</ref> | |||
| In may 2010, 93 members of ] were slaughtered by two separate groups of Islamist militants and suicide bombers at two of the group's mosques.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/9102340 |title=Pakistan sect demands protection after attacks | World news |publisher=The Guardian |date= |accessdate=2013-05-13}}</ref><ref name="guardian1"/><ref name="independent1"/> According to a Policeman the suicide bombers detonated themselves at a later stage, after observing that that they were about to be caught by the police, thereby increasing the death toll.<ref name="independent1"/> | |||
| The figures assembled in a survey reflect that even in the educated classes of Pakistan, Ahmadis are considered to be the least deserving minority in terms of equal opportunities and civil rights. In the same study, the teachers in these elite schools showed an even lower amount of tolerance towards Ahmadis than their pupils.<ref>{{dead link|date=September 2010}}, Volume 1, Number 1, January 2005. Passports to Privilege: The English-Medium Schools In Pakistan, Tariq Rahman.</ref> | |||
| ==Shia== | |||
| {{Main|Sectarian violence in Pakistan}} | |||
| {{Further|Persecution of Hazara people in Quetta}} | |||
| {{Rquote|right|While the military continued to perpetrate abuses with impunity in Balochistan and beyond, Sunni extremists killed hundreds of Shia Muslims and the Taliban attacked schools, students, and teachers.|], Pakistan Director of Human Rights Watch|}} | |||
| ] Muslims make up at least 20% of the total population in ]and come from different ethnic backgrounds. The ] ethnic minority has been facing discrimination in the province for a long time, nevertheless, bloody violence perpetrated against the community has risen very sharply in recent years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.samaa.tv/newsdetail.aspx?ID=34765 |title=Gunmen kill 11 in Pakistan sectarian attack |publisher=Samaa Tv |date=2011-07-31 |accessdate=2012-12-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://afpak.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/09/21/massacre_in_mastung |title=The Quiet Killing of Pakistan's Shi'a Continues – by Saba Imtiaz | The AfPak Channel |publisher=Afpak.foreignpolicy.com |date=2011-09-21 |accessdate=2012-12-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Yousafzai |first=Gul |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/04/us-pakistan-violence-idUSTRE7930NU20111004 |title=Suspected sectarian attack in Pakistan kills 13 |publisher=Reuters |date= |accessdate=2012-12-24}}</ref> Hazara people in ], have lost nearly 800 community members.<ref>Siddique, Abubakar and Nasar, Khudainoor Pakistan's Tiny Hazara Minority Struggles To Survive October 04, 2011, Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty | RFERL.org</ref> Most of them have fallen victim to terrorist attacks by ] and ] Pakistan which is a ] militant organization affiliated with ] and ].<ref>B. Raman (26 September 2011). "Pakistan: Another Massacre of Hazaras in Balochistan By Pro Al Qaeda Elements"</ref> | |||
| The repression against the Shi'ite Muslims worsened in Pakistan after September 11 attacks,<ref name=BBC.co.uk>{{cite news|title=Pakistan's Shia-Sunni divide|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3045122.stm|accessdate=24 December 2012|newspaper=BBC NEWS}}</ref> albeit it began in 1998 with the assassination of ]'s son Hassan Musa in ].<ref name="thefridaytimes5">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefridaytimes.com/beta2/tft/article.php?issue=20120302&page=5.1 |title=Insight: A brief history of ] persecution by Dr Saleem Javed |publisher=Thefridaytimes.com |date= |accessdate=2012-12-24}}</ref> | |||
| ] of Pakistan.]] | |||
| Since the year 2000, over 2000 ''Shia'' ] community members including many women and children have been killed or wounded in attacks perpetrated by ''Sunni'' Muslim terrorists affiliated with ] and ] in southwestern town of ]. Many hundreds of ''Shia'' Muslims have been killed in northern areas of Pakistan such as Gilgit, Baltistan, Parachinar and Chelas. The violence worsened immediately after September 11 and the expulsion of the Taliban from ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3045122.stm |title=Pakistan's ''Shia-Sunni'' divide |accessdate=2010-08-24 |work= |publisher=BBC News |date=June 1, 2004}}</ref> In 2002, 12 Shia police cadets were gunned down in Quetta. In 2003, the main ''Shia'' Friday Mosque was attacked in Quetta, killing 53 worshippers. March 2, 2004, at least 42 persons were killed and more than 100 wounded when a procession of the Shia Muslims was attacked by rival Sunni extremists at Liaquat Bazaar in Quetta.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3524851.stm |title=Carnage in Pakistan Shia attack |accessdate=2010-08-24 |work= |publisher=BBC News |date=March 2, 2004}}</ref> Separately, on October 7, 2004, a car bomb killed 40 members of an extremist Sunni organization in Multan. 300 people died during 2006.<ref name="CCM">{{cite web|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0202/p01s02-wosc.html |title=Shiite-Sunni conflict rises in Pakistan |accessdate=2010-08-24 |work=David Montero |publisher= |date=February 2, 2007}}</ref> | |||
| 53 people died and 150 were critically injured in a ] on a Shia mosque in Quetta in 2003. Since then, more than 700 Shias, most of them ], have been killed in gun attacks, rocket attacks, mass killings and suicide bombings in Balochistan.<ref name="thefridaytimes5"/> | |||
| On December 28, 2009, as many as 40 Shias were killed in an apparent suicide bombing in Karachi. The bomber attacked a Shia ] which was held to mark ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/metropolitan/04-karachi-death-toll-rises-qs-05 |title=Karachi in grip of grief and anger as blast toll rises to 43 |accessdate=2010-08-24 |work=S. Raza Hassan |publisher=] |date=December 30, 2009}}</ref> | |||
| Many of young ] have had to flee to ] and ], often illegally, in order to escape the oppression.<ref name="thefridaytimes5"/> | |||
| ==Christians== | ==Christians== | ||
| {{Main|Christianity in Pakistan}} | |||
| {{further|Persecution_of_Christians#Pakistan{{!}}Persecution of Christians in Pakistan}} | |||
| People belong to Christian minority in Pakistan are often victimized. Hundreds of Christians are accused blasphemy which is punishable by death sentence according to Pakistani law — at least 12 Christians have received death sentence for blaspheming against the Prophet.<ref name=BBCCh>{{cite news|title=Q&A: Pakistan's controversial blasphemy laws|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12621225|accessdate=15 November 2012|newspaper=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Christians often victims under Pakistan's blasphemy law|url=http://www.evangelizationstation.com/htm_html/Around%20the%20World/Pakistan/christians_often_victims_under_p.htm|accessdate=15 November 2012}}</ref> | |||
| ==Hindus== | |||
| In March 2002, five people were killed in an attack on a church in ], including an American schoolgirl and her mother.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fuhail |first=Rana |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/1388121/Five-killed-as-grenades-are-thrown-into-church.html |title=Five killed as grenades are thrown into church |publisher=Telegraph |date=18 March 2002 |accessdate=29 June 2011 |location=London}}</ref> | |||
| In August 2002, masked gunmen stormed a Christian missionary school for foreigners in Islamabad; six people were killed and three injured. None of those killed were children of foreign missionaries.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/pakistan-militants-kill-six-in-christian-school-attack-639030.html |title=Pakistan militants kill six in Christian school attack |publisher=Independent |date=6 August 2002 |accessdate=29 June 2011 |location=London}}</ref> | |||
| In August 2002, grenades were thrown at a church in the grounds of a Christian hospital in north-west Pakistan, near Islamabad, killing three nurses.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/pakistan-militants-kill-three-nurses-after-launching-grenade-attack-on-churchgoers-639404.html |title=Pakistan militants kill three nurses after launching grenade attack on churchgoers |publisher=Independent |date=10 August 2002 |accessdate=29 June 2011 |location=London}}</ref> | |||
| On 25 September 2002, two terrorists entered the "Peace and Justice Institute", ], where they separated Muslims from the Christians, and then murdered seven Christians by shooting them in the head.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.domini.org/openbook/pak20020925.htm |title=Gunmen 'execute' Pakistan Christians |publisher=Domini.org |date=25 September 2002 |accessdate=29 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2281191.stm |title=Fears of Pakistan's Christians |publisher=BBC News |date=25 September 2002 |accessdate=29 June 2011 |first=Kathryn |last=Westcott}}</ref> All of the victims were Pakistani Christians. Karachi police chief Tariq Jamil said the victims had their hands tied and their mouths had been covered with tape. | |||
| In November 2005, 3,000 militant Islamists attacked Christians in Sangla Hill in Pakistan and destroyed ], ] and United ] churches. The attack was over allegations of violation of blasphemy laws by a Pakistani Christian named Yousaf {{sic|hide=y|Masih}}. The attacks were widely condemned by some political parties in Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.missio-aachen.de/menschen-kulturen/nachrichten/Sangla_Hill_attack_continues_to_draw_condemnation.asp |title=Asien, Pakistan: Sangla Hill attack continues to draw condemnation |publisher=Missio-aachen.de |date=2 December 2005 |accessdate=29 June 2011}}{{dead link|date=May 2013}}</ref> | |||
| In August 2009, six Christians, including four women and a child, were burnt alive by ] militants and a ] set ablaze in ], Pakistan when ] broke out after alleged desecration of a ] in a wedding ceremony by Christians.<ref>, ], 1 August 2009</ref><ref> Retrieved 5 May 2011.</ref> | |||
| On 2 March 2011, the only Christian minister in the Pakistan government was shot dead. ], ], was in his car along with his niece. Around 50 bullets struck the car. Over 10 bullets hit Bhatti. Before his death, he had publicly stated that he was not afraid of the Taliban's threats and was willing to die for his faith and beliefs. He was targeted for opposing the anti-free speech ], which punishes insulting Islam or its Prophet.<ref> Pakistan Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti shot dead, 2 March 2011.</ref> A fundamentalist Muslim group claimed responsibility.<ref>{{dead link|date=May 2013}} Toronto Star, 2 March 2011.</ref> | |||
| In March 2013, a mob of thousands in Pakistan’s Lahore city burnt down dozens of houses in a Christian neighbourhood insofar as the community was forced to escape after an alleged blasphemy by a resident of the area.<ref name=outlookafghan /> | |||
| ==Hindus and Sikhs== | |||
| {{Main|Hinduism in Pakistan}} | |||
| {{Further|Anti-Hindu#Pakistan{{!}}Anti-Hinduism in Pakistan}} | |||
| According to the ] report 'Associated with the insistence on the Ideology of Pakistan has been an essential component of hate against India and the Hindus. For the upholders of the Ideology of Pakistan, the existence of Pakistan is defined only in relation to Hindus, and hence the Hindus have to be painted as negatively as possible'<ref name=sdpi>Nayyar, A.H. and Salim, A. (eds.)(2003). {{dead link|date=May 2013}}. Report of the project ''A Civil Society Initiative in Curricula and Textbooks Reform''. Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Islamabad.</ref> A 2005 report by the National Commission for Justice and Peace a non profit organization in Pakistan, found that Pakistan Studies textbooks in Pakistan have been used to articulate the hatred that Pakistani policy-makers have attempted to inculcate towards the Hindus. 'Vituperative animosities legitimise military and autocratic rule, nurturing a siege mentality. Pakistan Studies textbooks are an active site to represent India as a hostile neighbour' the report stated. 'The story of Pakistan’s past is intentionally written to be distinct from, and often in direct contrast with, interpretations of history found in India. From the government-issued textbooks, students are taught that Hindus are backward and superstitious.' Further the report stated 'Textbooks reflect intentional obfuscation. Today’s students, citizens of Pakistan and its future leaders are the victims of these partial truths'.<ref>, ], 2006-04-25</ref><ref name="LA Times Report: In Pakistan's Public Schools, Jihad Still Part of Lesson Plan — The Muslim nation's public school texts still promote hatred and jihad, reformers say."> By Paul Watson, Times Staff Writer; 18 August 2005; ]. 4 Page article online Retrieved on 2 January 2010</ref><ref name="Outlook India Magazine Report: Primers Of Hate — History or biology, Pakistani students get anti-India lessons in all their textbooks; 'Hindu, Enemy Of Islam' - These are extracts from government-sponsored textbooks approved by the National Curriculum Wing of the Federal Ministry of Education."> By AMIR MIR; 10 Oct 2005; ] Retrieved on 2 January 2010</ref><ref>; by Arindam Banerji; 16 July 2003; ] Retrieved on 2 January 2010</ref> | |||
| An editorial in Pakistan's oldest newspaper Dawn commenting on a report in ] on Pakistani Textbooks noted 'By propagating concepts such as ], the inferiority of non-Muslims, India’s ingrained enmity with Pakistan, etc., the textbook board publications used by all government schools promote a mindset that is bigoted and obscurantist. Since there are more children studying in these schools than in ] the damage done is greater. '<ref>, ], 2009-05-20. </ref><ref name="Dawn: ‘School texts spreading more extremism than seminaries’"> By Our Special Correspondent; Tuesday, 19 May 2009; ]. Retrieved 1 January 2010</ref> | |||
| According to ], a physics professor at ] in ], the "Islamizing" of Pakistan's schools began in 1976 when an act of parliament required all government and private schools (except those teaching the British O-levels from Grade 9) to follow a curriculum that includes learning outcomes for the federally approved Grade 5 social studies class such as: 'Acknowledge and identify forces that may be working against Pakistan,' 'Make speeches on ],' 'Collect pictures of policemen, soldiers, and national guards,' and 'India's evil designs against Pakistan.'<ref>, ], 2009-01-21</ref> | |||
| In January 2013 a 40-year-old Sikh man, a herbal medicines' seller, was beheaded by a “militant” group in Pakistan’s tribal region. He was kidnapped over a month prior to his body was found.<ref>{{cite web|author=PTI Jan 9, 2013, 01.03PM IST |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-09/pakistan/36236292_1_tribal-belt-militant-group-minority-sikh-community |title=Kidnapped Sikh man beheaded in Pakistan's tribal belt — Times Of India |publisher=Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2013-01-09 |accessdate=2013-05-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/abducted-sikh-beheaded-by-militants-in-pakistan-tribal-belt-315361 |title=Abducted Sikh beheaded by militants in Pakistan tribal belt |publisher=NDTV.com |date=2013-01-09 |accessdate=2013-05-13}}</ref> | |||
| ===Religious discrimination and temple destruction=== | |||
| {{further|Persecution_of_Hindus#Pakistan{{!}}Persecution of Hindus in Pakistan}} | |||
| {{Rquote|right|If you don’t want us, we will go to India. ..Our temple is as sacred to us as your mosque is to you.|Angry Hindus claim in protest of the demolition of a 100-year old Hindu temple and the theft of the jeweleries and crowns of the deities<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|author=IndiaTimes |url=http://www.indiatimes.com/asia/hindu-temple-demolished-in-pakistan-49136.html |title=Hindu Temple Demolished in Pakistan | Asia |publisher=www.indiatimes.com |date=2012-12-03 |accessdate=2013-05-10}}</ref>}} | |||
| {{Rquote|right|We were living under fear. Fear of the Taliban, fear of Lashkar-e-Islam and fear of other armed groups, ..I am not the only one. About 400 Sikh and 57 Hindu families migrated from (the town of) Bara and Tirah|A frightened Sikh local going by the fake name of Aman Deep Singh<ref name="dailytimes2009">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\07\28\story_28-7-2009_pg7_44 |title=Leading News Resource of Pakistan |publisher=Daily Times |date=2009-07-28 |accessdate=2013-05-13}}</ref>}} | |||
| Several Hindu temples have been destroyed in Pakistan.{{sfn|India-Pakistan relations|2005|p=234}}{{sfn|Social change in modern India|1995|p=180}} In Pakistan most of the Hindu temples were razed in last four decades and the idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses were used as stepping stone in Mosques.<ref>{{cite book|last=Udayakumar|first=S.P.|title=Presenting the past : anxious history and ancient future in Hindutva India|year=2005|publisher=Praeger|location=Westport, Conn. |isbn=0275972097|pages=98-99|edition=1. publ.}}</ref> One of the several notable incident was the destruction of the ] in former ].<ref>Thakur, Rajen (21 September 2009). "". Asian Tribune. Retrieved 23 August 2012.</ref> The temple was bulldozed by the Pakistan Army on 27 March 1971. The original 800-year old idol in ] was deliberately destroyed,<ref>{{cite web|title=Dhakeshwari Temple — Bangladesh|url=http://www.trinetra.org.uk/#/dhakeshwari-mata-temple/4539924399|publisher=Trinetra|accessdate=11 May 2013}}</ref> and over half of the temple's buildings were destroyed during the ] by the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Persecution of Hindus|url=http://globalhinduism.com/2013/03/02/persecution-of-hindus/|publisher=Global Hinduism|accessdate=11 May 2013}}</ref> The temple was desecrated by the ] Army and used as an ammunitions storage area. Several of the temple custodians were tortured and killed by the Army, including the Head Priest. | |||
| Sikh community of tribal region were forced to pay Rs 20 million as ], a tax levied on non-Muslims living under Islamic rule as Islamic tax in protection money, to the Taliban leaders. Taliban's demand was actually for Rs 50 million as 'jizia' but negotiations brought it down to 20 Rs 20 Million.<ref>. Islamabad, April 16, 2009</ref> Sikh-owned shops and houses are being held for ransom.<ref name="dailytimes2009"/> | |||
| A frightened Sikh businessman Aman Deep Singh (pseudonym) “We were living under fear. Fear of the Taliban, fear of Lashkar-e-Islam and fear of other armed groups, ..I am not the only one. About 400 Sikh and 57 Hindu families migrated from (the town of) Bara and Tirah,”<ref name="dailytimes2009"/> | |||
| In Pakistan the Sikh community of ] are periodically prevented from celebrating their religious festival. It is claimed "that celebrating the Muslim holy day of ] was more important than the Sikh religious festival".<ref name="tribune1">{{cite web|last=Manan |first=Abdul |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/211531/sikhs-kept-out-of-their-own-temple-for-shab-e-barat/ |title=Sikhs kept out of their own temple for Shab-e-Barat – The Express Tribune |publisher=Tribune.com.pk |date= |accessdate=2013-05-13}}</ref> The Sikhs are barred, by armed Policemen, from even entering the premises of their ], 'Shaheed Bhai Taru Singh', built in Lahore to honour the memory of a Sikh saint ] who was executed by Mughal governor of Punjab, ] in 1745. Moreover, in 2011, the musical equipments of the Sikhs were thrown out and their entry to the Gurdwara was barred based on the efforts of the ], a proselytising group. It was reported that the ownership of Gurdwara was disputed. The Gurdwara was taken over by the ′Evacuee Trust Property Board′ after ]. The Leader of the Islamic group Dawat-e-Islami, Sohail Butt claimed that the Gurdwara has now been turned into a Mosque and that the temple was inside the courtyard of the mosque, hence Muslims had more right to it than ].<ref name="tribune1"/> ETPB had accepted the Islamic group's stance that "Shab-e-Barat is more important than the Sikh ritual".<ref name="tribune1"/> | |||
| In 2006, the last Hindu temple in ] was destroyed to pave the way for construction of a multi-storied commercial building. When reporters from Pakistan-based newspaper ] tried to cover the incident, they were accosted by the henchmen of the property developer, who denied that a Hindu temple existed at the site.<ref>{{dead link|date=May 2013}},''Dawn''</ref> | |||
| On June 29, 2005, following the arrest of an illiterate Christian janitor on allegations of allegedly burning Qur'an pages, a mob of between 300 and 500 Muslims destroyed a Hindu temple and houses belonging to Christian and Hindu families in Nowshera. Under the terms of a deal negotiated between Islamic religious leaders and the Hindu/Christian communities, Pakistani police later released all previously arrested perpetrators without charge.<ref name=autogenerated3>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2006/71443.htm |title=Pakistan |publisher=State.gov |date= |accessdate=2013-05-10}}</ref> In October 2004, unidentified persons occupied a Hindu temple in Hyderabad. Police took no action to oust the illegal occupiers.<ref name=autogenerated3 /> | |||
| A 100-year old Shri Rama Pir Mandir was demolished in Karachi, Pakistan on 3 December 2012 despite a petition seeking stay order in Pakistani court.<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/100-year-old-temple-demolished-in-pakistan-angry-hindus-asks-govt-to-arrange-tickets-to-india/1/235776.html |title=100-year-old temple demolished in Pakistan, angry Hindus ask govt to arrange tickets to India : Pakistan, News — India Today |publisher=Indiatoday.intoday.in |date=2012-12-03 |accessdate=2013-05-10}}</ref> Locals accused the demolition team of stealing all their gold jewellery and the crowns of the four deities.<ref name=autogenerated1 /><ref name=autogenerated2 /> "We don’t have any shelter. Our children spent Saturday night shivering in the cold. We were made homeless in just seconds. What was our fault?", asked a victim.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ali |first=Rabia |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/474275/the-homeless-will-brave-cold-nights-and-put-up-a-fight/ |title=Soldier Bazaar demolition: The homeless will brave cold nights and put up a fight – The Express Tribune |publisher=Tribune.com.pk |date= |accessdate=2013-05-10}}</ref> The angry crowd demanded the government arrange tickets to India for them. <br>“If you don’t want us, we will go to India,", said one. Another man added that, “our temple is as sacred to us as your mosque is to you.”<ref name=autogenerated1 /> | |||
| ===Forceful Conversions=== | |||
| At the time of partition there was a sizeable Hindu minority, approximately 10% of the general population, in Pakistan. Since then the numbers declined and by 1998 it stood somewhere around 1.6%.<ref name=Census_Data>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov.pk/Religion.htm |title=Population by Religion in Pakistan |publisher=Census.gov.pk |date= |accessdate=2013-05-13}}</ref> According to Pakistan Minority rights group, around 600 Hindus, Sikhs and Christians are forcibly converted each year,<ref name=IJAFC>{{cite book|title=Islamic Jihad: A Legacy of Forced Conversion, Imperialism, and Slavery|year=2009|publisher=iUniverse|isbn=9781440118463|page=259|author=M A. Khan|accessdate=12 May 2013}}</ref> while the ] reported 2,000 cases of forced conversions in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Minorities|url=http://www.sparcpk.org/SOPC/Minorities.pdf|work=|publisher=Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child|accessdate=13 May 2013|date=27 Sep 2012|page=170|quote=During the year 2011, 1,800 women from Hindu and Christian communities throughout the country were forced to convert to Islam usually through kidnapping, torture, rape and forcible signing of marriage certificates. According to the AHRC, in 2011, around 2,000 girls from various minority groups were forced to convert to Islam.}}</ref> | |||
| There are many examples of forceful conversion of Hindus/Sikhs into Islam<ref name=IJAFC/> due to which a large number of Sikhs<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/pak-sikhs-seeks-security-indian-citizenship |title=Pak Sikhs seeks security, Indian citizenship Punjab News | Breaking News | Latest Online News |publisher=Punjabnewsline.com |date= |accessdate=2013-05-13}}</ref> and Hindus<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Pakistan/Harassed-Hindus-flee-Pakistan-reports/Article1-911387.aspx |title=Harassed Hindus flee Pakistan: reports |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=2012-08-10 |accessdate=2013-05-13}}</ref> are fleeing Pakistan and taking refuge in India. Forced conversions,<ref name=outlookafghan/> extortion and kidnapping are regular in Pakistan. Condition of Pakistani minorities are among world's worst.<ref name=dawnfc>{{cite web|url=http://www.niticentral.com/2013/03/30/pakistani-hindus-protest-over-forced-conversion-of-woman-to-islam-60062.html |title=Pakistani Hindus protest over forced conversion of woman to Islam |publisher=Niti Central |date= |accessdate=2013-05-10}}</ref><ref name=dawnfch>{{cite web|author=AP | 28th March, 2012 |url=http://dawn.com/2012/03/28/forced-conversions-hike-pakistan-minorities-fears/ |title=Forced conversions hike Pakistan minorities’ fears | Pakistan |publisher=Dawn.Com |date=2012-03-28 |accessdate=2013-05-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/forced-conversion-torture-pakistan-hindus-india/1/213214.html|title=Faced with forced conversion, torture, Hindus flee Pakistan; seek refuge in India : Neighbours, News — India Today |publisher=Indiatoday.intoday.in |date=2012-08-14 |accessdate=2013-05-10}}</ref> | |||
| A ] politician have stated that abduction of Hindus and Sikhs is a business in Pakistan, along with conversions of Hindus to Islam.<ref> ] – 28 August 2011</ref> Forced conversion, rape, and forced marriages of Hindu women in Pakistan (akin to ]) have recently become very controversial in Pakistan.<ref> Zee News – 20 April 2012</ref><ref> Daily Pioneer – 20 March 2012</ref> Human rights groups claimed that rape was often used against women to humiliate and dishonor them. Minority rights groups claimed that Hindu and Christian women were especially vulnerable. Due to prosecutions under the Hudood Ordinances and the high social stigma attached to rape, very few cases are reported.<ref name=autogenerated3 /> | |||
| ==Kalash== | ==Kalash== | ||
| ] | |||
| The ] or Kalasha, are an ethnic group of the Hindu Kush, settling in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. They speak the Kalash language, a member of the Dardic family. The culture of Kalash people is unique and differs drastically from the various ethnic groups surrounding them. They are polytheists and nature plays a highly significant and spiritual role in their daily life. As part of their religious tradition, sacrifices are offered and festivals held to give thanks for the abundant resources of their three valleys. The Kalash pantheon is the last untouched, living representative of Indo-European mythology. | The ] or Kalasha, are an ethnic group of the Hindu Kush, settling in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. They speak the Kalash language, a member of the Dardic family. The culture of Kalash people is unique and differs drastically from the various ethnic groups surrounding them. They are polytheists and nature plays a highly significant and spiritual role in their daily life. As part of their religious tradition, sacrifices are offered and festivals held to give thanks for the abundant resources of their three valleys. The Kalash pantheon is the last untouched, living representative of Indo-European mythology. | ||
| The Kalash culture is at risk due to conversion to Islam and Taliban activities in the area.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kalash tribe under Taliban threat|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\06\12\story_12-6-2009_pg7_40|accessdate=12 May 2013|newspaper=Daily Times|date=12 June 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Fearful Kalash community seeks protection|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-128148-Fearful-Kalash-community-seeks-protection&sa=U&ei=v22OUdL7H4jwrQfx5YGwAw&ved=0CFQQFjAP&usg=AFQjCNHD2Wb7FcnMgB_WFYQ46uiV1UirJg|accessdate=12 May 2013|newspaper=The News|date=25 Aug 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=ud-Din|first=Mokham|title=Afghan militants storm Kalash Valley, steal herd of goats|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/423491/afghan-militants-storm-kalash-valley-steal-herd-of-goats/|accessdate=12 May 2013|newspaper=The Express Tribune|date=17 Aug 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Conversions to Islam threaten Pakistan’s “Macedonian” tribe|url=http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2011/10/20/conversions-to-islam-threaten-pakistans-macedonian-tribe/|accessdate=12 May 2013|date=20 Oct 2011|agency=Reuters|quote=Nestled among the valleys of Pakistan’s mountainous northwest, a tiny religious community that claims descent from Alexander the Great’s army is under increasing pressure from radicals bent on converting them to Islam.}}</ref> | |||
| ==Chitralis== | ==Chitralis== | ||
| The |
The people of Chitral the northernmost part of ] belong mostly to the Khow ethnic group, but there are more than ten other ethnic groups represented in Chitral. Despite their diverse ethnic, religious and linguistic backgrounds they have a strong sense of being Chitrali and they share a common culture and use ] as a lingua franca. The ] used to be a ] until its amalgamation into Pakistan in 1969. | ||
| == |
==1998 Census== | ||
| According to the most recent (1998) census conducted by the Government of Pakistan, Hindus make up 1.20% of the population and Christians (Protestant and Roman Catholic) 1.9%, or around 2.3 million people. Other estimates put the numbers higher. Historically, there was also a small contingent of ] most of whom left in the 1960s, their numbers are estimated to be between 1000-5000 predominantly in the city of Karachi. | |||
| {{main|Antisemitism in Pakistan}} | |||
| {{Further|Jewish_exodus_from_Arab_and_Muslim_countries#Pakistan{{!}}Jewish exodus from Pakistan}} | |||
| At the time of Pakistani independence in 1947, some 1,300 Jews remained in Karachi, many of them Bene Israel Jews, observing Sephardic Jewish rites. There used to be a small but vibrant Jewish community in Pakistan but as antisemitism rose the Jews fled the nation.<ref name=tbk/> 809 Jews were enrolled in general elections of 2013 as voters.<ref name=autogenerated4 /> | |||
| ==Religious Freedom Report 2002== | |||
| ] is rife in ] today. The public rejection of Zionism increased after the creation of ] and the consequent ]. ] is very common among ] but ] evolved after the creation of the ]. ] residents of ] were attacked by Muslims at the creation of the ]. ]'s statement in ] about ] increased the hostility for the ].<ref name=tbk>{{cite news|title=In search of the Jews of Karachi|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/113103/in-search-of-the-jews-of-karachi/|accessdate=13 November 2011|newspaper=Express Tribune|date=6 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Anti-Zionism, in Pakistan|url=http://www.isn.ethz.ch/isn/Current-Affairs/ISN-Insights/Detail?lng=en&id=130985&contextid734=130985&contextid735=130984&tabid=130984&dynrel=4888caa0-b3db-1461-98b9-e20e7b9c13d4|publisher=ETN Zurich|accessdate=13 November 2011}}</ref> | |||
| The U.S. State Department's International Religious Freedom Report 2002 estimates the ] population between 10-12%, among which around 900,000 are ]s which is a sect of Shi'i Muslims and who pay tribute to their living spiritual leader, the ]. It also lists Christians at 2.09 million; Ahmadis at 286,000, Hindus at 1.03 million; ], Buddhists, and ] at 20,000 each; and ] at 50,000-100,000. | |||
| ==Atheists and agnostics== | ==Atheists and agnostics== | ||
| The numbers of those who do not profess any faith (such as atheists and agnostics) is not known. | |||
| Expression of Atheistic perspective can bring capital punishment in Pakistan like many other Islamic countries.<ref>{{cite news|title=Atheists around world suffer persecution, discrimination: report|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/10/us-religion-atheists-idUSBRE8B900520121210|accessdate=10 May 2013|newspaper=Reuters|author=Robert Evans|quote=The IHEU — which links over 120 humanist, atheist and secular organizations in more than 40 countries — said it was issuing the report to mark the U.N.'s Human Rights Day on Monday. According to its survey of some 60 countries, the seven where expression of atheist views or defection from the official religion can bring capital punishment are Afghanistan, Iran, Maldives, Mauritania, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Sudan. The 70-page report lists no recent cases of actual execution for "atheism" -- but researchers say the offence is often subsumed into other charges.}}</ref> | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| {{Reflist |
{{Reflist}} | ||
| ==Notes== | |||
| *{{cite book|title=Human Rights in Pakistan|year=2007|publisher=Pentagon Press|isbn=8182741998|author=S. K. Singh|editor=M. H. Syed|accessdate=12 May 2013|ref={{sfnref|Human Rights in Pakistan|2007}}}} | |||
| *{{cite book|last=Kamath|first=edited by P.M.|title=India-Pakistan relations|year=2005|publisher=Promilla & Co., Publishers|location=New Delhi|isbn=8185002479|ref={{sfnref|India-Pakistan relations|2005}}}} | |||
| *{{cite book|last=Srinivas|first=M.N.|title=Social change in modern India|year=1995|publisher=Orient Longman|location=New Delhi|isbn=812500422X|edition=|ref={{sfnref|Social change in modern India|1995}}}} | |||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| * . An article by Prof. ] of The ], ]. | * . An article by Prof. ] of The ], ]. | ||
| * . DAWN.COM. 4 November 2012 | |||
| {{Asia topic|Minorities in}} | {{Asia topic|Minorities in}} | ||
| Line 158: | Line 41: | ||
| ] | ] | ||
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Revision as of 10:41, 7 June 2013
Pakistan is a very diverse society with various ethnic and religious minorities. Some minorities in Pakistan are facing discrimination according to Indian writer Ashish Sen. Condition of minorities deteriorated sharply in 2012, while the government remained unwilling or unable to provide protection to the country's minorities.
Afghan
Ahmadi
Christians
Hindus
Kalash
The Kalash or Kalasha, are an ethnic group of the Hindu Kush, settling in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. They speak the Kalash language, a member of the Dardic family. The culture of Kalash people is unique and differs drastically from the various ethnic groups surrounding them. They are polytheists and nature plays a highly significant and spiritual role in their daily life. As part of their religious tradition, sacrifices are offered and festivals held to give thanks for the abundant resources of their three valleys. The Kalash pantheon is the last untouched, living representative of Indo-European mythology.
Chitralis
The people of Chitral the northernmost part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa belong mostly to the Khow ethnic group, but there are more than ten other ethnic groups represented in Chitral. Despite their diverse ethnic, religious and linguistic backgrounds they have a strong sense of being Chitrali and they share a common culture and use Khowar as a lingua franca. The State of Chitral used to be a Princely State until its amalgamation into Pakistan in 1969.
1998 Census
According to the most recent (1998) census conducted by the Government of Pakistan, Hindus make up 1.20% of the population and Christians (Protestant and Roman Catholic) 1.9%, or around 2.3 million people. Other estimates put the numbers higher. Historically, there was also a small contingent of Jews in Pakistan most of whom left in the 1960s, their numbers are estimated to be between 1000-5000 predominantly in the city of Karachi.
Religious Freedom Report 2002
The U.S. State Department's International Religious Freedom Report 2002 estimates the Shi'a population between 10-12%, among which around 900,000 are Ismailis which is a sect of Shi'i Muslims and who pay tribute to their living spiritual leader, the Aga Khan. It also lists Christians at 2.09 million; Ahmadis at 286,000, Hindus at 1.03 million; Parsis, Buddhists, and Sikhs at 20,000 each; and Baha'is at 50,000-100,000.
Atheists and agnostics
The numbers of those who do not profess any faith (such as atheists and agnostics) is not known.
See also
References
- Sen, Ashish Kumar (30 April 2013). "Pakistan tops worst list for religious freedom". The Washington Times. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
- "US report speaks of 'crisis for minorities'". Dawn. AFP. 2 May 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
A US government-appointed panel urged Washington on Tuesday to step up pressure on Pakistan over religious freedom, alleging that risks to its minorities have reached a crisis level.
- "Security forces allowing extremists to attack minorities: HRW". Dawn. 2 Feb 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
"The Human Rights Watch has accused the government of having failed to act against abuses committed by security and intelligence agencies which are letting extremist groups to attack religious minorities....Pakistan's human rights crisis worsened markedly in 2012 with religious minorities bearing the brunt of killings and repression," said Ali Dayan Hasan, Pakistan Director of Human Rights Watch.
External links
- Jews in Pakistan. An article by Prof. Adil Najam of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University.
