By Sarang Mathrani
In 1947, when Pakistan gained independence from British rule, it inherited a diverse social structure. The new country faced the challenge of integrating various religious and ethnic groups, including Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, and other minorities. The founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, had a clear vision: “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, caste or creed—that has nothing to do with the business of the State.”
Since its founding, Pakistan has been a home to a mix of cultures, religions, and ethnicities. The country’s journey toward embracing diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability has had both challenges and successes. As Pakistan moves forward, the role of minority communities has become more important, and the government’s actions and policies are crucial in building a more unified and forward-thinking society.
To protect minority rights, Pakistan’s Constitution has laid down a framework. The Constitution of 1956 and its successors, especially the Constitution of 1973, guaranteed the rights of minorities, ensuring their freedom to practice their religion and take part in national life.
The 1973 Constitution also reserved seats for minorities in both the national and provincial assemblies, a key step in ensuring political representation. In 1981, the government introduced the Separate Electorate System to give minorities a distinct voice in elections, though it was later replaced by the Joint Electorate System in 2002, returning to a unified electoral process.
The government has also focused on educational reforms, such as the National Education Policy of 2009, to improve access to quality education for all, including minorities. In recent years, minority quotas in educational institutions have helped increase participation among minority youth.
The Protection of Minorities Act, enacted in 2020, and the creation of the National Commission for Minorities, show the state’s commitment to protecting minority rights.
As of 2024, Pakistan’s population is approximately 241 million, with minorities making up about 4.5%, or roughly 10.85 million people. Christians account for 1.6%, Hindus for 1.85%, and other groups, including Sikhs, Parsis, Buddhists, and Baháʼís, make up around 0.83% of the total population.
The National Assembly of Pakistan has 10 reserved seats for minorities, filled through proportional representation based on the votes political parties receive in general elections. In the Senate, there are reserved seats for minorities from each province, ensuring representation at the national level.
In terms of political engagement, minorities in Pakistan have reserved seats as follows: 4 in the Senate, 10 in the National Assembly, and in the provincial assemblies, there are 8 in Punjab, 9 in Sindh, 3 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 3 in Balochistan.
Moreover, there has been a noticeable increase in government efforts to protect the rights of minorities. In 2014, the Supreme Court of Pakistan, led by former Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, made an important ruling. The court ordered the government to create a national council for minority rights and set up special police forces to protect places of worship. This ruling has become a key reference for those advocating for minority rights in Pakistan.
Cultural and educational changes are also helping to create a more inclusive society. There are ongoing efforts to revise school curriculums to include minority perspectives, though this has faced some resistance. Additionally, cultural events that celebrate minority traditions are becoming more popular, helping to build a sense of shared identity among Pakistanis.
Interfaith dialogues, which were once rare, are now more common and often supported by both civil society organizations and government institutions. These dialogues have helped to reduce the distance between different religious communities, promoting mutual respect and understanding.
There is still a dire need for inclusive pathways, particularly regarding the policies of the Minority Commission, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Minority Committee, and the Hindu Marriage Act. Even after the 18th Amendment granted provinces the authority for self-governance and legislation, parliamentarians, stakeholders, and policymakers are not taking this responsibility seriously.
Today, in major cities across Sindh and in the capital, rights activists are marking this day with great zeal. They have a clear charter of demands, emphasizing the need for a concrete action plan for Pakistan’s religious minorities. Their rights and representation must be fully recognized and exercised.
(The writer is Rights Activist based in Umerkot, Sindh, Pakistan. He can be reached at smmmathrani@gmail.com)
