Freedom of religion in Pakistan
Freedom of religion in Pakistan is guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan for individuals of various religions and religious sects.
Politics of Pakistan |
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Pakistan portal
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Pakistan gained independence in 1947 and was founded upon the concept of two-nation theory. At the time of Pakistan's creation the 'hostage theory' had been espoused. According to this theory the Hindu minority in Pakistan was to be given a fair deal in Pakistan in order to ensure the protection of the Muslim minority in India.
| Religion | Population | % |
|---|---|---|
| Muslims () | 216,563,599 | 96.5% |
| Hindus () | 4,937,201 | 2.2% |
| Christians () | 2,693,018 | 1.2% |
| Others (inc. Sikhs, Jews, Jains, Ahmadiyyas, Buddhists, Irreligious) | 224,418 | 0.1% |
| Total | 224,418,238 | 100% |
Pakistan has a population estimated at 224,418,238, as of 2021. In the early 2000s, it was estimated that 96.5% of Pakistanis were Muslims (75-95% Sunni, 5-20% Shia, and 0.22-2.2% Ahmadi, who are not permitted to call themselves Muslims - see Religious discrimination in Pakistan), while the remainder are Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Zoroastrians, members of other faiths, and agnostics and atheists.
In 2016, Sindh, Pakistan's most religiously diverse province, with 8% religious minority population (predominantly Hindus) passed a bill that outlawed forced conversions. After being passed by the Provincial Assembly, the bill was tabled by a faction of the Pakistan Muslim League called PML-F, Pakistan Muslim League Functional, which in Sindh is led by Sufi leader Pir Pagara.