Freedom of Religion and Status of Religious Minorities in Pakistan

Abstract

On world media the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has been reported most in the recent past regarding the news relating slow moving peace process and discrimination with religious minorities. They are facing problems regarding the protection of their rights and policies formulated for them but did not implement in right way. Majority of the population is based upon Muslims but numbers of non-Muslims are also the citizens of Pakistan. Constitution of Pakistan guarantees of equal rights for all citizens regardless of their religion, race, language, gender and area. The research explores the worth of minorities by ideology of Pakistan. It discusses the proportion of minorities in Pakistan and their issues. It attempts to diagnose the hindrances in the way of religious minorities and factors associated with them. It elaborates the amendments and policies for protection of their rights passed by the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan whether they are applied in real sense or not. To what extent, Religious minorities in Pakistan enjoy the freedom to put into practice their religion and follow their cultural traditions and customs.

Keywords: Freedom, Constitution, Amendments, Issues, Government, Acts, Practice