Session 24: Place of minorities in Pakistan!

The situation of human rights in Pakistan is complex as a result of the country's diversity, large population, its status as a developing country and a sovereign Islamic republic as well as an Islamic democracy which has a mixture of both Islamic and secular laws. The Constitution of Pakistan provides for fundamental rights, which include freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of information, freedom of religion, freedom of association, and freedom of the press. The founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, wanted Pakistan to be a moderate secular state blended with some Islamic values and principles.
Pakistan has changed its constitution several times in its relatively short history, each time moving further away from moderate Islam to extremist Islam. Although the Constitution includes adequate accommodation for Pakistan’s religious minorities, in reality non-Muslims face discrimination in both public and private spheres for example - non Muslims cannot hold any of the top positions in the country's government. In response to rising sectarian and religious violence, the Pakistani government has unveiled several high profile efforts to reduce tension and support religious pluralism, giving new authority to the National Commission for Minorities and creating a Ministry for Minority Affairs post. Nonetheless, religious violence is still common throughout Pakistan; Ahmadis, Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians, face violence, intimidation, as well as periodic charges of blasphemy, which carries a death penalty. Other than the above religious minorities, attacks against Shia Muslims, who make up 20% of Pakistan population have also become very common. looking at the above stated situation that Pakistan faces, it has become extremist-dominant society and religious tolerance is no where to be seen.